The Lady of Pleasure: A Comedie, as It Was Acted by Her Majesties Servants, at the Private House in Drury LaneShirley, James
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The Lady of Pleasure: A Comedie, as It Was Acted by Her Majesties Servants, at the Private House in Drury Lane
Shirley, James
Comedy plays; English drama -- 17th century
_Cel_. Such a thing he would seeme, but in his guiltinesse
Of little land, his expectation is not
So valiant as it might be, he weares cloathes,
And feeds with noblemen, to some I heare
No better than a wanton emissarie,
Or scout for _Venus_ wild soule, which made tame,
He thinkes no shame to stand court centinell,
In hope of the reversion. _Mar._ I have heard
That some of them are often my Lords tasters,
The first fruits they condition for, and will
Exact as fees for the promotion.
_Cel._ Let them agree, there's no account shall lie
For me among their trafficke.
_Enter Gentlewo._
_Gen._ Mr. _Hairecut_ Madam
Is new come in, to tender you his service.
_Cel._ Let him discourse a little with sir _William_. _Exit._
_Ma._ What is this gentleman Mr. _Hairecut_ Madam?
I note him very gallant, and much courted
By gentlemen of qualitie. _Cel._ I know not
More than a trim gay man, he has some great office
Sure by his confident behaviour,
He would be entertaind under the title
Of servant to me, and I must confesse,
He is the sweetest of all men that visite me.
_Is._ How meane you Madam?
_Cel._ He is full of powder,
He will save much in perfume for my chamber,
Were he but constant here; give e'm accesse.
_Enter Sir Will. Sentlove, Mr. Hairecut._
_Sent._ Madam the humblest of your servants is
Exalted to a happinesse, if you smile
Vpon my visit.
_Ha._ I must begge your charitie
Vpon my rudenesse Madam, I shall give
That day up lost to any happinesse,
When I forget to tender you my service.
_Cel._ You practise Courtship gentlemen. _Sent._ But cannot
Find where with more desert to exercise it,
What Ladie's this I pray? _Cel._ A kinswoman
Of mine sir _William_. _Sent._ I am more her servant.
_Cel._ You came from Court, now I presume. _Ha._ Tis Madam
The sphere I move in, and my destinie
Was kinde to place me there, where J enjoy
All blessings that a mortall can possesse,
That lives not in your presence, and J should
Fixe my ambition, when you would vouchsafe
Me so much honour, to accept from me
An humble entertainment there. _Cel._ But by
What name shall I be knowne, in what degree
Shall J be of kinred to you. _Hair._ How meane you Madam?
_Cel._ Perhaps you'le call me sister, I shall take it
A speciall preferment, or it may be
J may passe under title of your Mistresse,
If I seeme rich, and faire enough, to engage
Your confidence to owne me. _Ha._ J would hope.
_Cel._ But tis not come to that yet, you will sir
Excuse my mirth.
_Ha._ Sweet Madam. _Cel._ Shall J take
Boldnesse to aske what place you hold in Court?
Tis an uncivill curiositie,
But you'le have mercie to a womans question.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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