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._ She is full of Jewels Madam, but I am
Most taken with the bravery of her minde,
Although her garments have all grace and ornament.
_Are._ You have beene high in praises. _Al._ I come short,
No flattery can reach her. _Bor._ Now my Lady
Is troubled as she feared to be eclipsd,
This newes will cost me somewhat. _Are._ You deserve
Her favour for this noble character.
_Al._ And I possesse it by my starres benevolence.
_Are._ You must bring us acquainted. _Bo._ I pray doe sir,
I long to see her too, Madam I have
Thought upon't and corrected my opinion,
Pursue what wayes of pleasure your desires
Incline you too, not onely with my state,
But with my person I will follow you,
I see the folly of my thrift, and will
Repent in Sacke and prodigalitie
To your owne hearts content.
_Are._ But doe not mocke.
_Bor._ Take me to your imbraces gentlemen
And tutor me. _Lit._ And will you kisse the Ladies?
_Bor._ And sing and dance, I long to see this beauty,
I wood faine lose a hundred pounds at dice now,
Thou sha't have another gowne and petticote,
To morrow will you sell my running horses?
We have no Greeke wine in the house I thinke,
Pray send one of our footemen to the Merchant,
And throw the hogsheads of March-beare into
The kenell, to make roome for Sackes and Clarret,
What thinke you to be drunke yet before dinner?
We will have constant musicke and maintaine
Them and their Fidles in phantasticke liveries,
Ile tune my voyce to catches, I must have
My dyning roome enlarg'd to invite Embassadors,
Wee'le feast the parish in the fields, and teach
The Military men new discipline,
Who shall charge all their new Artillerie
With Oringes and Lemonds, boy to play
All dinner upon our capons. _Al._ Hee's exalted.
_Bor._ I will doe any thing to please my Lady,
Let that suffice and kisse oth same condition,
I am converted, doe not you dispute
But patiently allow the miracle. _Enter Servant._
_Are._ I am glad to heare you sir in so good tune.
_Ser._ Madam the Painter. _Are._ I am to sit this morning.
_Bor._ Doe, while I give new directions to my Steward.
_Al._ With your favour we'le waite on you, sitting's but
A melancholy exercise without
Some company to discourse. _Are._ It does conclude
A Ladies morning worke, we rise, make fine,
Sit for our Picture, and tis time to dine.
_Lit._ Praying's forgot. _Al._ Tis out of fashion. _Exeunt._
_Enter Celestina and her Steward._
_Cel._ Fie, what an aire this roome has. _St._ Tis perfum'd.
_Cel._ With some cheape stuffe is it your wisedomes thrift
To infect my nostrils thus? Or i'st to favour
The Gout in your worships hand? You are afraid
To exercise your pen in your account Booke?
Of doe you doubt my credit to discharge
Your bills.
_St._ Madam, I hope you have not found
My dutie with the guilt of sloath or jealousie,
Vnapt to your command. _Cel._ You can extenuate
Your faults with language sir, but I expect
To be obeyed; What hangings have we here?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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