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._ Your other clothes were not so rich, who was
Your tailor sir? _Al._ They were made for me long since,
They have knowne but two bright dayes upon my backe,
I had a humor Madam to lay things by,
They will serve two dayes more, I thinke I ha gold enough
To goe to'th Mercer, Ile now allow my selfe
A suite a weeke as this, with necessary
Dependances, Beaver, silke stockings, garters,
And roses in their due conformitie,
Bootes are forbid a cleane legge, but to ride in,
My linnen every morning comes in new,
The old goes too great bellies. _Ar._ You are charitable.
_Al._ I may dine w'ee sometime, or at the Court
To meete good company, not for the table,
My Clarke o'th Kitchins here, a witty Epicure,
A spirit that to please me with whats rare
Can flie a hundred mile a day to market,
And make me Lord of Fish and Foule, I shall
Forget there is a butcher, and to make
My footmen nimble, he shall feede on nothing
But wings of wildfoule. _Are._ These wayes are costly.
_Al._ Therefore Ile have it so, I ha sprung a mine.
_Are._ You make me wonder sir, to see this change
Of fortune, your revenew was not late
So plentifull. _Al._ Hang durty land and Lordships,
I wonot change one lodging I ha got
For the Chamber of London. _Are._ Strange of such a sudden,
To rise to this estate, no fortunate hand
At dice could lift you up so, for tis since
Last night, yesterday, you were no such Monarke.
_Al._ There be more games then dice. _Are._ It cannot be
A Mistris, though your person is worth love,
None possibly are rich enough to feed
As you have cast the method of your riots,
A Princesse, after all her Jewels must
Be forc'd to sell her provinces. _Al._ Now you talke
Of Jewels? What doe you thinke of this? _Are._ A rich one.
_Al._ You'le honour me to wear't, this other toy
I had from you, this chaine I borrowed of you,
A friend had it in keeping, if your Ladiship
Want any summe, you know your friend and _Alexander_.
_Are._ Dare you trust my security. _Al._ There's gold,
I shall have more to morrow.
_Are._ You astonish me, who can supply these?
_Al._ A deare friend I have,
She promisd we should meete agen i'th morning.
_Are._ Not that I wish to know
More of your happinesse, then I have aready
Heart to congratulate, be pleasd to lay
My wonder. _Al._ Tis a secret. _Are._ Which ile die
Ere Ile betray. _Al._ You have alwayes wish'd me well,
But you shall sweare not to reveale the partie.
_Are._ Ile lose the benefit of my tongue. _Alex._ Nor be
Afraid at what I say, what thinke you first
Of an old Witch, a strange ill favor'd hag
That for my company last night, has wrought
This cure upon my fortune? I doe sweat
To thinke upon her name. _Are._ How sir a Witch?
_Ale._ I would not fright your Ladiship too much
At first, but Witches are a kin to Spirits,
The truth is--nay if you looke pale already,
I ha done. _Are._ Sir I beseech you. _Ale._ If you have
But courage then to know the truth, ile tell you
In one word, my chiefe friend is the devill.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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