The City Bride (1696): Or, The Merry Cuckold — John Shaqi
The City Bride (1696): Or, The Merry CuckoldHarris, Joseph
General
The City Bride (1696): Or, The Merry Cuckold
Harris, Joseph
English drama
_Mer._ Is that all? I thought the Bridegroom had been return'd: Sir,
pray pardon this Rudeness; But indeed I had quite forgot you, quite
forgot you, as I hope to be sav'd: But what makes you tremble, Sir, are
you ill dispos'd.
_Ara._ Think you he hath not reason to be ill-disposed at this cold
[_Aside to Justice_ Merryman.] Entertainment? for my part I blush for
shame.
_Spr._ Come pray, Sir, shake off this Dulness, and participate of our
Mirth, Od's nigs do.
_Sum._ I am very well, Sir, I thank you, only the Gentleman is a little
under a Mistake.
_Mer._ It may be so, Ay, ay, it may be so; I vow I thought you had
trembled, but I believe it might be my own Hand; you must pardon me, I
was stiffer once.
_Sum._ Sir, your humble Servant.
_Mer._ But, Gentlemen, what think you of an Adventure?
_Spr._ Adventure whither?
_Mer._ Why, to the _East-Indies_? I have a Vessel, Gentlemen, called the
_Sea-Horse_, bound thither, and to morrow I do expect her to sail. Now,
Gentlemen, if you'l venture, ye shall have fair Dealing, that I'll
promise you. And for the French, you need not fear them, for she is a
smart new Vessel: Nay, she hath a Letter of Mart too, and twenty brave
roaring Boys on both Sides her, Starboard and Larboard: And I intend to
go as far as _Marget_ down with her, 'twill be as good as Physick to me.
_Spr._ A very good Motion, Sir, I begin, there's my ten Pieces.
_Sum._ And, Sir, if a proffer'd Love may be accepted, be pleased to take
my ten Pieces with you.
_Mer._ Your's above all the rest, Sir.
_Ara._ That's kindly said, Sir, and I thank you: Now pray venture Ten
more for my sake.
_Sum._ Alas, Madam, it's a younger Brother's Portion.
_Ara._ At my Request, Sir, venture the other Ten; if you want, I'll
supply you with as many more.
_Sum._ With all my Heart then: Come, Sir, if you please, I'll double
mine: So now she's got her Gold again, and I am now no Thief, (_aside_)
Sir, I have a Suit to you,
[_To_ Merryman.
_Mer._ You may command it, for I am always at your Service: But pray
your Pleasure?
_Sum._ My Request, Sir, is, to have the Honour of keeping you Company to
Sea, for I have a great desire to see _Marget_.
_Mer._ Sir, I shall be very happy in your good Company.
_Ara._ I hope you will be both better acquainted e're you return; and by
that time your Kinsman may be here to make you more welcome.
_And for the Gold at my Request you lent,
I'll double it to give you more content._
Sum. _Why shou'd I fear, since she is prov'd so just?
I'll quit my Trade: Now_ Jack Catch _do thy worst._
_Exeunt._
_The End of the Second ACT._
ACT the Third.
_A Wood_
_Enter_ Bonvile _and_ Friendly.
_Bon._ Come my brave _Friendly_, I think we are here the first: Your
Enemy is not yet i'th Field; let's walk a Turn or two, perhaps by that
time he may arrive.
_Fri._ I'm very confident that he's here already.
_Bon._ Thy Looks, me-thinks, speak Conquest sure thy own; an ardent Rage
has kindled both thy Cheeks.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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