The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 02Dryden, John
General
The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 02
Dryden, John
English literature
_Set_. As you would wish it, madam: I went up to his chamber
without interruption; and there found him drowning his cares, and
pacifying his hunger, with sleep; which advantage I took, and;
undiscovered by him, left the gold divided in his pockets.
_Const_. Well, this money will furnish him, I hope, that we may
have his company again.
_Set_. Two hundred and fifty good pounds, madam. Has your father
missed it yet?
_Const_. No; if he had, we should have all heard on't before now:
But, pray God Monsieur Loveby has no other haunts to divert him, now
he's ransomed! What a kind of woman is his landlady?
_Set_. Well enough to serve a tailor; or to kiss when he comes
home drunk, or wants money; but far unlikely to create jealousy in
your ladyship.
_Enter Servant_.
_Serv_. Madam, Justice Trice desires your ladyship's excuse,
that he has not yet performed the civilities of his hour to you; he is
dispatching a little business, about which he is earnestly employed.
_Const_. He's master of his own occasions. [_Exit Servant_.
_Isa_. We shall see him anon, with his face as red as if it had
been boiled in pump-water: But, when comes this mirror of knighthood,
that is to be presented you for your servant?
_Const_. Oh, 'tis well thought on; 'faith thou know'st my
affections are otherwise disposed; he's rich, and thou want'st a
fortune; atchieve him, if thou can'st; 'tis but trying, and thou hast
as much wit as any wench in England.
_Isa_. On condition you'll take it for a courtesy to be rid of an
ass, I care not if I marry him: the old fool, your father, would be so
importunate to match you with a young fool, that, partly for quietness
sake, I am content to take him.
_Const_. To take him! then you make sure on't.
_Isa_. As sure, as if the sack posset were already eaten.
_Const_. But, what means wilt thou use to get him?
_Isa_. I'll bribe Failer; he's the man.
_Const_. Why, this knight is his inheritance; he lives upon him:
Do'st thou think he'll ever admit thee to govern him? No, he fears thy
wit too much: Besides, he has already received an hundred pounds, to
make the match between Sir Timorous and me.
_Isa_. 'Tis all one for that; I warrant you, he sells me the
fee-simple of him.
_Set_. Your father, madam--
_Enter_ NONSUCH.
_Isa_. The tempest is risen; I see it in his face; he puffs
and blows yonder, as if two of the winds were fighting upwards and
downwards in his belly.
_Set_. Will he not find your false keys, madam?
_Isa_. I hope he will have more humanity than to search us.
_Const_. You are come after us betimes, sir.
_Non_. Oh child! I am undone; I am robbed, I am robbed; I have
utterly lost all stomach to my dinner.
_Const_. Robbed! good my lord, how, or of what?
_Non_. Two hundred and fifty pounds, in fair gold, out of my
study: An hundred of it I was to have paid a courtier this afternoon
for a bribe.
_Set_. I protest, my lord, I had as much ado to get that parcel
of gold for your lordship--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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