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
_Lor._ I ha thought better, call the Lady backe,
I wonot lose this opportunitie,
Bid her not feare, the favour is not common,
And ile reward it. I doe wonder much
_Will Sentlove_ was not here to day.
_Ha._ I heard him say this morning, he would waite
Vpon your Lordship.
She is returnd sir. _Enter Secre. and Decoy._
_Sec._ Madam be confident my Lords not angry.
_Bor._ You returne welcome Madam, you are better
Read in your art I hope then to be frighted
With any shape of anger, when you bring
Such newes to gentlemen, Madam you shall
Soone understand how I accept the office.
_De._ You are the first Lord, since I studied carriage,
That shew'd such infidelity and fury
Vpon so kind a message, every gentleman
Will shew some breeding, but if one right honourable
Should not have noble bloud. _Lor._ You shall returne
My complement in a letter to my Lady
_Aretina_, favour me with a little patience,
Shew her that chamber. _De._ Ile attend your Lordship. _Ex._
_Lor._ Write, Madam where your honour is in danger,
My love must not be silent. _Enter Sentlove and Kickshaw._
_Sentlove_ and _Kickshaw_! _Kic._ Your Lordship's busie.
_Lor._ Writing a letter, nay it shanot barre
Any discourse. _Sec._----Silent.
_Lo._ Though I be no Physitian, I may prevent a feaver in your bloud,
And where have you spent the mornings conversation?
_Sent._ Where you would have given the best Barbary
In your stable to have met on honorable termes.
_Lor._ What new beautie? You acquaint your selves
With none but wonders. _Sent._ Tis too low a miracle.
_Lor._ Twill require a strong faith. _Secr._ Your bloud.
_Lor._ If you be innocent preserve your fame least this _Decoy_
Madam betray it to your repentance.
By what name is she knowne?
_Sent._ Aske _Alexander_, he knowes her? _Alex._ Whom?
_Sent._ The Lady _Celestina_.
_Lor._ He has a vast knowledge of Ladies, las poore _Alexander_!
When dost thou meane thy body shall lie fallow?
_Al._ When there is mercy in a petticote,
I must turne pilgrime for some breath. _Lor._ I thinke
Twere cooler travell if you examine it
Vpon the hoofe through Spaine.
_Sent._ Through _Ethiopia_.
_Lor._ Nay lesse laborious to serve a prentiship
In Peru, and dig gold out of the mine,
Though all the yeare were dogdayes. _Sec._ To repentance.
_Lor._ In briefe, this Lady, could you fall from vertue,
Within my knowledge will not blush to be a Bawde.
_Sent._ But hang't tis honorable journey worke,
Thou art famous by't, and thy name's up. _Alex._ So sir,
let me aske you a question my deare knight,
Which is lesse servile to bring up the Pheasant,
And waite, or sit at table uncontrould
And carve to my owne appetite? _Sent._ No more,
Th'art witty, as I am--_Sec._ A bawd. _Sent._ How's that?
_Al._ Oh you are famous by't and your names up sir.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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