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._ Thinke you so gentlemen, I dare see this creature
To make you know your errors, and the difference
Of her, whose memory is my Saint, not trust
My sences? J dare see, and speake with her,
Which holds the best acquaintance to prepare
My visit to her.
_Sent._ I will doo't my Lord.
_Al._ Shee is a Lady free in entertainements.
_Lor._ I would give this advantage to your cause,
Bid him appeare in all the ornaments
Did ever waite on beautie, all the riches
Pride can put on, and teach her face more charme
Then ever Poet drest up _Venus_ in,
Bid her be all the graces, and the queene
Of love in one, Ile see her _Sentlove_, and
Bring off my heart arm'd, but single thought
Of one that is dead, without a wound, and when
I have made your follie prisoner, ile laugh at you.
_Sent._ She shall expect you, trust me for knowledge.
_Lor._ I'me for the present somewhere else engagd,
Let me heare from you. _Sent._ So I am glad hee's yet
So neere conversion. _Alex._ I am for _Aretina_.
_Sent._ No mention of my Lord. _Alex._ Prepare his Lady,
Tis time he were reduc'd to the old sport,
One Lord like him more would undoe the court. _Exit._
_Enter Aretina with a letter. Decoy._
_De._ He is the ornament of your bloud Madam,
I am much bound to his Lordship. _Are._ He gives you
A noble character. _De._ Tis his goodnesse Madam.
_Are._ I wanted such an engine, my Lord has
Done me a curtesie to disclose her nature,
I now know one to trust, and will employ her.
Touching my Lord, for reasons, which I shall
Offer to your Ladiship hereafter, I
Desire you would be silent, but to shew
How much I dare be confident in your secrecie,
I powre my bosome forth, I love a gentleman
On whom there woo'not meet much conjuration
To meet--your eare--
_De._ I apprehend you, and I shall
Be happy to be serviceable, I am sorry
Your Ladiship did not know me before now,
I have done offices, and not a few
Of the nobilitie, but have done feates
Within my house, which is convenient
for situation, and artfull chambers,
And pretty pictures to provoke the fancie.
_Enter Littleworth._
_Lit._ Madam all pleasures languish in your absence.
_Are._ Your pardon a few minutes sir----you must
Contrive it thus. _Lit._ I attend, and shall account it
Honour to waite on your returne. _Are._ He must not
Have the least knowledge of my name, or person.
_De._ I have practisd that already for some great ones,
And dare agen to satisfie you Madam;
I have a thousand wayes to doe sweet offices.
_Lit._ If this Lady _Aretina_ should be honest,
I ha lost time, shee's free as aire, J must
Have closer conference, and if I have art,
Make her affect me in revenge. _De._ This evening?
Leave me to manage things. _Are._ You will oblige me.
_De._ You shall commend my art, and thanke me after. _Ex._
_Are._ I hope the revells are maintained within.
_Lit._ By sir _Thomas_ and his Mistris. _Are._ How? his Mistris.
_Lit._ The Lady _Celestina_, I nere saw
Eyes shoote more amorous enterchange. _Are._ Ist so?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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