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
Are. _Vrayement Madame, que jamais personne a plus desirè,
L'honneur de vostre compagnie, que moy._
Cel. _Laissans en je vous supplie, des compliments & permettoz
à vostre servante de vous baiser les mains._
Are. _Vous m'obligez trop._
_Bo._ I have no more patience, lets be merry agen
In our owne language, Madam our mirth cooles,
Our Nephew! _Enter Fredericke._
_Are._ Passion of my braine.
_Fre._ Save you gentlemen, save you Ladies. _Are._ I am undone.
_Fre._ I must salute, no matter at which end I begin.
_Are._ There's a complement.
_Cel._ Is this your nephew Madam?
_Are._ _Ie vous prie Madame d'excuser les habitz, & le rude
Comportement de mon cousin. Il est tout fraichement
Venu de l'universitè, ou on l'a tout gastè._
_Cel._ _Excusez moy Madam, il est bien accomply._
_Fre._ This language should be French, by the motions
Of your heads, and the mirth of your faces. _Are._ I am dishonor'd.
_Fre._ Tis one of the finest tongues for Ladies to shew their
Teeth in, If you'le Latine I am for you, or Greek it,
My tailor has not put me into French yet,
_Mille basia, basia mille._
Cel. _Ie ne vous entende pas monsieur,_
I understand you not sir. _Fre._ Why so?
You and I then shall be in charity,
For though we should be abusive, we ha the benefit
Not to understand one another: where's my Aunt?
I did heare musicke somewhere, and my braines
Tun'd with a bottle of your capering claret
Made haste to shew their dancing. _Lit._ Please you Madam,
They are very comfortable. _St._ Alas Madam
How would you have me helpe it, I did use
All meanes I could, after he heard the musicke,
To make him drunke in hope so to containe him,
But the wine made him lighter, and his head
Flew hi'ther, ere I mist his heeles.
_Ale._ Nay he spoke Latine to the Lady.
_Are._ Oh most unpardonable! get him off
Quickly, and discreetely, or if I live----
_St._ Tis not in my power, he sweares I am
An absurd sober fellow, and if you keepe
A servant in his house to crosse his humour,
When the rich sword and belt comes home, hee'le kill him.
_Are._ What shall I doe? Try your skill, Master _Littleworth_.
_Lit._ He has ne're a sword, sweet Mr. _Fredericke_.
_Bo._ Tis pitty Madam such a syen should
Be lost, but you are clouded. _Cel._ Not I sir,
I never found my selfe more cleare at heart.
_Bo._ I could play with a feather, your fan Lady,
Gentlemen, _Aretina_, ta ra ra ra, come Madam.
_Fre._ Why my good tutor in election?
You might have beene a scholler. _Lit._ But I thanke
My friends they brought me up a little better,
Give me the towne wits, that deliver jeasts
Cleane from the bow, that whistle in the aire,
And cleave the pin at twelvescore, Ladies doe
But laugh at a gentleman that has any learning.
Tis sinne enough to have your clothes suspected,
Leave us, and I will find a time to instruct you;
Come here are sugar plumbes, tis a good _Fredericke_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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