The Lady of Pleasure: A Comedie, as It Was Acted by Her Majesties Servants, at the Private House in Drury Lane — John Shaqi
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
_Bo._ Your pardon noble Lady, that I have
Presum'd a stranger to your knowledge. _Cel._ Sir,
Your worth was here before you, and your person
Cannot be here ingratefull. _Bor._ Tis the bounty
Of your sweet disposition Madam, make me
Your servant lady by her faire example,
To favour me--I never knew one turne
Her cheeke to a gentleman that came to kisse her
But sha'd a stinking breath, your servant gentlemen,
_Will Sentlove_ how ist? _Cel._ I am sorry Coze
To accuse you, we in nothing more betray
Our selves to censure of ridiculous pride,
Then answering a faire salute too rudely,
Oh it shewes ill upon a gentlewoman
Not to returne the modest lip, if she
Would have the world beleeve, her breath is not
Offensive. _Bor._ Madam, I have businesse
With you. _Sent._ His lookes are pleasant. _Cel._ With me sir?
_Bor._ I heare you have an ex'lent wit Madam,
I see your faire. _Cel._ The first is but report,
And doe not trust your eyesight for the last,
Cause I presume y'are mortall and may erre.
_Ha._ He is very gamesome. _Bor._ Y'ave an ex'lent voyce;
They say you catcht it from a dying Swan,
Which joyn'd to the sweete harmony of your lute,
You ravish all mankind. _Cel._ Ravish mankind?
_Bo._ With their consent. _Cel._ It were the stranger rape,
But there's the lesse inditement lies against it,
And there is hope, your little honesties
Cannot be much the worse, for men doe rather
Beleeve they had a maiden head, then put
Themselves to'th racke of memory, how long
Tis since they left the burden of their innocence.
_Bo._ Why you are bitter Madam. _Cel._ So is physicke,
I doe not know your constitution.
_Bo._ You shall if please you Madam. _Cel._ Y'are too hasty,
I must examine what certificate
You have, first to preferre you. _Bo._ Fine! certificate?
_Cel._ Vnder your Ladies hand, and seale. _Bor._ Go to,
I see you are a wag. _Cel._ But take heede, how
You trust too't. _Bor._ I can love you in my wedlocke,
As well as that young gallant, oth first haire,
Or the knight Bachelor, and can returne
As amorous delight to thy soft bosome.
_Cel._ Your person and your language are both strangers.
_Bo._ But may be more familiar, I have those
That dare make affidavit for my body.
_Cel._ D'ee meane your Surgeon? _Bor._ My Surgeon Madam?
I know not how you value my abilities,
But I dare undertake, as much, to expresse
My service to your Ladiship, and with
As fierce ambition, fly to your commands,
As the most valiant of these, 'lay siege to you.
_Cel._ You dare not sir. _Bor._ How Madam? _Cel._ I will justifi't.
You dare not marry me, and I imagine
Some here should I consent, would fetch a priest
Out of the fire. _Bor._ I have a wife indeede.
_Cel._ And there's a statute not repeald I take it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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