_Gay_. You gutling Rascal, you are enough to breed a Famine in a Land. I
have known some industrious Footmen, that have not only gotten their own
Livings, but a pretty Livelihood for their Masters too.
_Rag_. Ay, till they came to the Gallows, Sir.
_Gay_. Very well, Sirrah, they died in an honourable Calling--but hark
ye, _Rag_,--I have business, very earnest business abroad this Evening;
now were you a Rascal of Docity, you wou’d invent a way to get home my
last Suit that was laid in Lavender--with the Appurtenances thereunto
belonging, as Perriwig, Cravat, and so forth.
_Rag_. Faith, Master, I must deal in the black Art then, for no human
means will do’t--and now I talk of the black Art, Master, try your Power
once more with my Landlady.
_Gay_. Oh! name her not, the thought on’t turns my Stomach--a sight of
her is a Vomit; but he’s a bold Hero that dares venture on her for a
kiss, and all beyond that sure is Hell it self--yet there’s my last,
last Refuge--and I must to this Wedding--I know not what,--but
something whispers me,--this Night I shall be happy--and without _Julia_
’.is impossible!
_Rag. Julia_, who’s that? my Lady _Fulbank_, Sir?
_Gay_. Peace, Sirrah--and call--a--no--Pox on’t, come back--and
yet--yes--call my fulsome Landlady.
[_Exit_ Rag.
Sir _Cautious_ knows me not by Name or Person.
And I will to this Wedding, I’m sure of seeing _Julia_ there.
And what may come of that--but here’s old Nasty coming.
I smell her up--hah, my dear Landlady.
_Enter _Rag_ and _Landlady.
Quite out of breath--a Chair there for my Landlady.
_Rag_. Here’s ne’er a one, Sir.
_Land_. More of your Money and less of your Civility, good Mr.
_Wasteall_.
_Gay_. Dear Landlady--
_Land_. Dear me no Dears, Sir, but let me have my Money--Eight Weeks
Rent last Friday; besides Taverns, Ale-houses, Chandlers, Landresses’
Scores, and ready Money out of my Purse; you know it, Sir.
_Gay_. Ay, but your Husband don’t; speak softly.
_Land_. My Husband! what, do you think to fright me with my Husband?--
I’d have you to know I’m an honest Woman, and care not this--for my
Husband. Is this all the thanks I have for my kindness, for patching,
borrowing and shifting for you; ‘twas but last Week I pawn’d my best
Petticoat, as I hope to wear it again, it cost me six and twenty
shillings besides Making; then this Morning my new _Norwich_ Mantua
followed, and two postle Spoons, I had the whole dozen when you came
first; but they dropt, and dropt, till I had only _Judas_ left for
my Husband.
_Gay_. Hear me, good Landlady.
_Land_. Then I’ve past my word at the _George Tavern_, for forty
Shillings for you, ten Shillings at my Neighbour _Squabs_ for Ale,
besides seven Shillings to Mother _Suds_ for Washing; and do you fob me
off with my Husband?
_Gay_. Here, _Rag_, run and fetch her a Pint of Sack--there’s no other
way of quenching the Fire in her flabber Chops.
[_Exit_ Rag.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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