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
_Bor._ Yar'e in the right I must confesse y'ave hit,
And bled me in a master veine. _Cel._ You thinke
I tooke you on the advantage, use your best
Skill at defence, Ile come up to your valour
And shew another worke you dare not doe,
You dare not sir be vertuous. _Bor._ I dare,
By this faire hand I dare, and aske a pardon
If my rude words offend thy innocence,
Which in a forme so beautifull, would shine
To force a blush in them suspected it,
And from the rest draw wonder. _Ha._ I like not
Their secret parly, shall I interrupt em?
_Is._ By no meanes sir. _Sent._ Sir _Thomas_ was not wont
To shew so much a Courtier. _Mar._ He cannot
Be prejudiciall to you, suspect not
Your owne deserts so much, hee's married.
_Bo._ I have other businesse Madam, you keepe musicke,
I came to try how you can dance.
_Cel._ You did? Ile trie his humour out of breath,
Although boast no cunning sir in revells,
If you desire to shew your art that way,
I can waite on you. _Bor._ You much honour me,
Nay all must joyne to make a harmony.
_They dance._
_Bor._ I have nothing now, Madam, but to beseech
After a pardon for my boldnesse, you
Would give occasion to pay my gratitude,
I have a house will be much honourd
If you vouchsafe your presence, and a wife
Desires to present her selfe your servant,
I Came with the ambition to invite you,
Deny me not, your person you shall trust
On faire securitie. _Cel._ Sir, although I use not
This freedome with a stranger, you shall have
No cause to hold me obstinate. _Bor._ You grace me
Sir _William Sentlove_-- _Ha._ I must take my leave,
You will excuse me Madam, Court attendances----
_Cel._ By any meanes. _Bor._ Ladies you will vouchsafe
Your company. _Is._ M. We waite upon you sir. _Exeunt._
_The third Act._
_Enter Lord unready. Hairecut preparing his Periwigge,
Table, and Lookingglasse._
_Lor._ What houre ist? _Ha._ Bout three'a clocke my Lord.
_Bor._ Tis time to rise. _Ha._ Your Lordship went but late
To bed last night. _Lor._ Twas early in the morning. _Enter Secre._
_Sec._ Expect a while, my Lord is busie?
_Lor._ Whats the matter? _Sec._ Here is a Lady
Desires accesse to you upon some affaires
She saies may specially concerne your Lordship.
_Lor._ A Lady? What her name? _Sec._ Madam _Decoy_.
_Lor._ _Decoy?_ prethee admit her. _Enter Decoy._
Have you businesse Madam
With me? _Decoy._ And such I hope as will not be
Offensive to your Lordship. _Lor._ I pray speake it.
_De._ I would desire your Lordships eare more private.
_Lor._ Waite i'th next chaber till I call, now Madam. _Exeunt._
_De._ Although I am a stranger to your Lordship
I wo'd not lose a faire occasion offer'd,
To shew how much I honour, and would serve you.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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