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
_Al._ Although to reverence so grave a matron
Were an ambitious word in me; yet since
You give me boldnesse, I doe love you. _De._ Then
Thou art my owne. _Al._ Has she no cloven foote?
_De._ And I am thine, and all that I command
Thy servants, from this minute thou art happy,
And fate in thee will crowne all my desires.
I griev'd a proper man should be compeld
To bring his body to the common market,
My wealth shall make thee glorious, and the more
To encourage thee, how ere this forme may fright
Thy youthfull eyes, yet thou wo't find by light
Of thy owne sense, for other light is banish'd
My chamber, when our armes tie lovers knots,
And kisses seale the welcome of our lippes,
I shall not there affright thee, nor seeme old,
With riveld veines, my skin is smooth and softe
As _Ermines_, with a spirit to meete thine,
Active and equall to the queene of Loves
When she did court _Adonis_. _Al._ This doth more
Confirme she is a devill, and I am
Within his owne dominions, I must on,
Or else be torne a peeces, I have heard
These Succubi must not be crost. _De._ We trifle
Too precious time away, Ile shew you a prospect
Of the next chamber, and then out the candle.
_Al._ Have you no sacke i'th house, I would goe arm'd
Vpon this breach. _De._ It shanot need. _Al._ One word
Mother, have not you beene a Cat in your dayes?
_De._ I am glad you are so merry sir, you observe
That bed. _Alex._ A very brave one. _De._ When you are
Disrob'd, you can come thither in the darke,
You shanot stay for me, come as you wish
For happinesse. _Exit._
_Al._ I am preferd, if I
Be modest and obey, she cannot have
The heart to doe me harme, and she were _Hecate_
Herselfe, I will have a strong faith, and thinke,
I march upon a Mistris, the lesse evill,
If I scape fire now, I defie the devill. _Exit._
_Enter Fred. Littlew. Steward._
_Fre._ And how dee like me now? _St._ Most excellent.
_Fre._ Your opinion Mr. _Littlewor_. _Lit._ Your French tailor
Has made you a perfect gentleman, I may
Converse now with you, and preserve my credit,
De'e find no alteration in your body
With these new clothes? _Fre._ My body altered? No.
_Lit._ You are not yet in fashion then, that must
Have a new motion garbe, and posture too,
Or all your pride is cast away, it is not
The cut of your apparrell makes a gallant,
But the geometricall wearing of your clothes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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