_Pet_. Ah, Signior, where the Ladies are privileg’d and Fornication
licensed.
_Tick_. Right! and when ‘tis licens’d, ‘tis lawful; and when ‘tis lawful,
it can be no Sin: besides, _Barberacho_, I may chance to turn her, who
knows?
_Pet_. Turn her, Signior, alas, any way, which way you please.
_Tick_. He, he, he! There thou wert knavish, I doubt--but I mean convert
her--nothing else I profess, _Barberacho_.
_Pet_. True, Signior, true, she’s a Lady of an easy nature, and an
indifferent Argument well handled will do’t--ha--here’s your head of
Hair--here’s your natural [_combing out his Hair_.] Frize! And such an
Air it gives the Face!--So, Signior--Now you have the utmost my Art can
do.
[_Takes away the Cloth, and bows_.
_Tick_. Well, Signior,--and where’s your Looking-glass?
_Pet_. My Looking-glass!
_Tick_. Yes, Signior, your Looking-glass! an _English_ Barber wou’d as
soon have forgotten to have snapt his fingers, made his leg, or taken his
Money, as have neglected his Looking-glass.
_Pet_. Ay, Signior, in your Country the Laity have so little Honesty,
they are not to be trusted with the taking off your Beard unless you
see’t done:--but here’s a Glass, Sir.
[_Gives him the Glass_.
[Tick. _sets himself and smirks in the Glass_, Pet. _standing
behind him, making horns and grimaces, which_ Tick. _sees in the
Glass, gravely rises, turns towards_ Petro.
_Tick_. Why, how now, _Barberacho_, what monstrous Faces are you making
there?
_Pet_. All, my Belly, my Belly, Signior: ah, this Wind-Cholick! this
Hypocondriack does so torment me! ah--
_Tick_. Alas, poor Knave; _certo_, I thought thou hadst been somewhat
uncivil with me, I profess I did.
_Pet_. Who, I, Sir, uncivil?--I abuse my Patrone!--I that have almost
made my self a Pimp to serve you?
_Tick_. Teze, teze, honest _Barberacho!_ no, no, no, all’s well, all’s
well:--but hark ye--you will be discreet and secret in this business now,
and above all things conceal the knowledge of this Gentlewoman from Sir
_Signal_ and Mr. _Galliard_.
_Pet_. The Rack, Signior, the Rack shall not extort it.
_Tick_. Hold thy Hand--there’s somewhat for thee, [_Gives him Money_.]
but shall I, Rogue--shall I see her to night?--
_Pet_. To night, Sir, meet me in the Piazza _D’Hispagnia_, about ten a
Clock,--I’ll meet you there,--but ‘tis fit, Signior--that I should
provide a Collation,--’tis the custom here, Sir.--
_Tick_. Well, well, what will it come to?--here’s an Angel.--
_Pet_. Why, Sir, ‘twill come to--about--for you wou’d do’t handsomely--
some twenty Crowns.--
_Tick_. How, man, twenty Crowns!
_Pet_. Ay, Signior, thereabouts.
_Tick_. Twenty Crowns!--Why, ‘tis a Sum, a Portion, a Revenue.
_Pet_. Alas, Signior, ‘tis nothing with her,--she’ll look it out in an
hour,--ah, such an Eye, so sparkling, with an amorous Twire--Then, Sir--
she’ll kiss it out in a moment,--such a Lip, so red, so round, so plump,
so soft, and so--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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