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._ I had rather lose a thousand more, than one
Sad thought come neere my heart fort, vexe for trash,
Although it goe from other men like drops
Of their life bloud, we lose with the alacrity,
Wee drinke a cup of sacke, or kisse a Mistris,
No money is considerable with a gamster,
They have soules more spacious than Kings, did two
Gamsters divide the Empire of the world
Theyd make one throw for't all, and he that lost
Be no more melancholy, then to have plai'd for
A mornings draught, vexe a rich soule for dirt,
The quiet of whose every thought is worth
A Province. _Are._ But when Dice have consumd all,
Your patience will not pawne for as much more.
_Bor._ Hang pawning, sell outright, and the feares over.
_Are._ Say you so? I'le have another coach to morrow
If there be rich above ground. _Bor._ I forgot
To bid the fellow aske my Jeweller,
Whether the chaine of Diamonds be made up,
I will present it to my Lady _Bellamour_,
Faire _Celestina_. _Are._ This gowne J have worne
Sixe dayes already, it lookes dull, ile give it
My waiting woman, and have one of cloth
of gold enbrodered, shooes and pantables
Will show well of the same. _Bor._ I have invited
A covey of Ladies, and as many gentlemen
To morrow to the _Italian_ Ordinary,
I shall have rarities, and regalli as
To pay for Madam, musicke, wanton songs,
And tunes of silken petticotes to dance to.
_Are._ And to morrow have I invited halfe the Court
To dine here, what misfortune tis your company
And ours should be devided? after dinner
J entertaine e'm with a play. _Bor._ By that time
Your play inclines to the Epilogue, shall we
quit our _Italian_ host, and whirle in coaches,
To the Douch Magazine of sawce, the Stillyard,
Where deale, and backragge, and what strange wine else,
They dare but give a name too in the reckoning
Shall flow into our roome, and drowne Westphalias,
Tongues, and Anchoavis, like some little towne
Endangered by a sluce, through whole fierce ebbe
We wade and wash our selves into a boate,
And bid our Coachmen drive their leather tenements
By land, while we saile home with a fresh tide
To some new randevous. _Are._ If you have not
Pointed the place, pray bring your Ladies hither,
J meane to have a Ball to morrow night,
And a rich banquet for e'm, where we'le dance
Till morning rise, and blush to interrupt us.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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