Sir _Feeb_. I know him--what, do you take me for a Pimp, Sir? I know
him--there’s your Watch again, Sir; I’m your Friend, but no Pimp,
Sir--
[_Rises in Rage_.
Sir _Cau_. My Watch; I thank you, Sir--but why Pimp, Sir?
Sir _Feeb_. Oh, a very thriving Calling, Sir,--and I have a young Wife
to practise with. I know your Rogues.
Sir _Cau_. A young Wife!--’tis so, his Gentlewoman has been at
Hot-Cockles without her Husband, and he’s Horn-mad upon’t. I suspected
her being so close in with his Nephew--in a Fit with a Pox--[_Aside_.]
Come, come, Sir _Feeble_, ‘tis many an honest Man’s Fortune.
Sir _Feeb_. I grant it, Sir--but to the business, Sir, I came for.
Sir _Cau_. With all my Soul--
[_They sit gaping, and expecting when either should speak.
Enter_ Bredwel _and_ Gayman _at the door_. Bredwel _sees them,
and puts_ Gayman_ back again_.
_Bred_. Hah--Sir _Feeble_, and Sir _Cautious_ there--what shall I do?
For this way we must pass, and to carry him back wou’d discover my Lady
to him, betray all, and spoil the Jest--retire, Sir, your Life depends
upon your being unseen. [_Go out_.
Sir _Feeb_. Well, Sir, do you not know that I am married, Sir? and this
my Wedding Night?
Sir _Cau_. Very good, Sir.
Sir _Feeb_. And that I long to be in bed?
Sir _Cau_. Very well, Sir.
Sir _Feeb_. Very good, Sir, and very well, Sir--why then what the Devil
do I make here, Sir? [_Rises in a rage_.
Sir _Cau_. Patience, Brother--and forward.
Sir _Feeb_. Forward! lend me your hand, good Brother; let’s feel your
Pulse; how has this Night gone with you?
Sir _Cau_. Ha, ha, ha--this is the oddest Quonudrum--sure he’s mad--and
yet now I think on’t, I have not slept to night, nor shall I ever sleep
again, till I have found the Villain that robb’d me. [_Weeps_.
Sir _Feeb_. So, now he weeps--far gone--this Laughing and Weeping is a
very bad sign! [_Aside_.] Come, let me lead you to your Bed.
Sir _Cau_. Mad, stark mad--no, now I’m up ‘tis no matter--pray ease your
troubled Mind--I am your Friend--out with it--what, was it acted? or
but designed?
Sir _Feeb_. How, Sir?
Sir _Cau_. Be not asham’d, I’m under the same Premunire I doubt, little
better than a--but let that pass.
Sir _Feeb_. Have you any Proof?
Sir _Cau_. Proof of what, good Sir?
Sir _Feeb_. Of what! why, that you’re a Cuckold; Sir, a Cuckold, if
you’ll ha’t.
Sir _Cau_. Cuckold! Sir, do ye know what ye say?
Sir _Feeb_. What I say?
Sir _Cau_. Ay, what you say, can you make this out?
Sir _Feeb_. I make it out!
Sir _Cau_. Ay, Sir--if you say it, and cannot make it out, you’re a--
Sir _Feeb_. What am I, Sir? What am I?
Sir _Cau_. A Cuckold as well as my self, Sir; and I’ll sue you for
_Scandalum Magnatum_; I shall recover swinging Damages with a City-Jury.
Sir _Feeb_. I know of no such thing, Sir.
Sir _Cau_. No, Sir?
Sir _Feeb_. No, Sir.
Sir _Cau_. Then what wou’d you be at, Sir?
Sir _Feeb_. I be at, Sir! what wou’d you be at, Sir?
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.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account