Athens (Greece); Knights and knighthood -- Drama; Tragicomedy
DAUGHTER.
Some two hundred bottles,
And twenty strike of oates; but he’ll ne’er have her.
He lisps in’s neighing, able to entice
A miller’s mare. He’ll be the death of her.
DOCTOR.
What stuff she utters!
JAILER.
Make curtsy; here your love comes.
Enter Wooer and Doctor come forward.
WOOER.
Pretty soul,
How do ye? That’s a fine maid; there’s a curtsy!
DAUGHTER.
Yours to command i’ th’ way of honesty.
How far is’t now to’ th’ end o’ th’ world, my masters?
DOCTOR.
Why, a day’s journey, wench.
DAUGHTER.
Will you go with me?
WOOER.
What shall we do there, wench?
DAUGHTER.
Why, play at stool-ball;
What is there else to do?
WOOER.
I am content,
If we shall keep our wedding there.
DAUGHTER.
’Tis true,
For there, I will assure you, we shall find
Some blind priest for the purpose, that will venture
To marry us, for here they are nice and foolish.
Besides, my father must be hanged tomorrow,
And that would be a blot i’ th’ business.
Are not you Palamon?
WOOER.
Do not you know me?
DAUGHTER.
Yes, but you care not for me. I have nothing
But this poor petticoat, and two coarse smocks.
WOOER.
That’s all one; I will have you.
DAUGHTER.
Will you surely?
WOOER.
[_Taking her hand._] Yes, by this fair hand, will I.
DAUGHTER.
We’ll to bed, then.
WOOER.
E’en when you will.
[_Kisses her._]
DAUGHTER.
[_Rubs off the kiss._] O sir, you would fain be nibbling.
WOOER.
Why do you rub my kiss off?
DAUGHTER.
’Tis a sweet one,
And will perfume me finely against the wedding.
Is not this your cousin Arcite?
[_She indicates the Doctor._]
DOCTOR.
Yes, sweetheart,
And I am glad my cousin Palamon
Has made so fair a choice.
DAUGHTER.
Do you think he’ll have me?
DOCTOR.
Yes, without doubt.
DAUGHTER.
Do you think so too?
JAILER.
Yes.
DAUGHTER.
We shall have many children. [_To Doctor._] Lord, how you’re grown!
My Palamon, I hope, will grow too, finely,
Now he’s at liberty. Alas, poor chicken,
He was kept down with hard meat and ill lodging,
But I’ll kiss him up again.
Enter a Messenger.
MESSENGER.
What do you here? You’ll lose the noblest sight
That e’er was seen.
JAILER.
Are they i’ th’ field?
MESSENGER.
They are.
You bear a charge there too.
JAILER.
I’ll away straight.
I must e’en leave you here.
DOCTOR.
Nay, we’ll go with you;
I will not lose the sight.
JAILER.
How did you like her?
DOCTOR.
I’ll warrant you, within these three or four days
I’ll make her right again. You must not from her,
But still preserve her in this way.
WOOER.
I will.
DOCTOR.
Let’s get her in.
WOOER.
Come, sweet, we’ll go to dinner;
And then we’ll play at cards.
DAUGHTER.
And shall we kiss too?
WOOER.
A hundred times.
DAUGHTER.
And twenty.
WOOER.
Ay, and twenty.
DAUGHTER.
And then we’ll sleep together.
DOCTOR.
Take her offer.
WOOER.
Yes, marry, will we.
DAUGHTER.
But you shall not hurt me.
WOOER.
I will not, sweet.
DAUGHTER.
If you do, love, I’ll cry.
[_Exeunt._]
SCENE III. A part of the Forest near Athens, and near the Place
appointed for the Combat
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account