The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 06Dryden, John
General
The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 06
Dryden, John
English literature
_Trick._ Hold, sir, you act your part too far. Your friend was
unconscionable, if he desired more favours at the first interview.
_Wood._ He both desired and obtained them, madam, and so will--
_Trick._ [_A noise within._] Heavens! I hear Mr Limberham's voice:
he's returned from Barnet.
_Wood._ I'll avoid him.
_Trick._ That's impossible; he'll meet you. Let me think a
moment:--Mrs Saintly is abroad, and cannot discover you: have any of
the servants seen you?
_Wood._ None.
_Trick._ Then you shall pass for my Italian merchant of essences:
here's a little box of them just ready.
_Wood._ But I speak no Italian; only a few broken scraps, which I
picked from Scaramouch and Harlequin at Paris.
_Trick._ You must venture that: When we are rid of Limberham, 'tis but
slipping into your chamber, throwing off your black perriwig, and
riding suit, and you come out an Englishman. No more; he's here.
_Enter_ LIMBERHAM.
_Limb._ Why, how now, Pug? Nay, I must lay you over the lips, to take
hansel of them, for my welcome.
_Trick._ [_Putting him back._] Foh! how you smell of sweat, dear!
_Limb._ I have put myself into this same unsavoury heat, out of my
violent affection to see thee, Pug. Before George, as father Aldo
says, I could not live without thee; thou art the purest bed-fellow,
though I say it, that I did nothing but dream of thee all night; and
then I was so troublesome to father Aldo, (for you must know he and I
were lodged together) that, in my conscience, I did so kiss him, and
so hug him in my sleep!
_Trick._ I dare be sworn 'twas in your sleep; for, when you are
waking, you are the most honest, quiet bed-fellow, that ever lay by
woman.
_Limb._ Well, Pug, all shall be amended; I am come home on purpose to
pay old debts. But who is that same fellow there? What makes he in our
territories?
_Trick._ You oaf you, do you not perceive it is the Italian seignior,
who is come to sell me essences?
_Limb._ Is this the seignior? I warrant you, it is he the lampoon was
made on. [_Sings the tune of Seignior, and ends with,_ Ho, ho.
_Trick._ Pr'ythee leave thy foppery, that we may have done with him.
He asks an unreasonable price, and we cannot agree. Here, seignior,
take your trinkets, and be gone.
_Wood._ [_Taking the box._] _A dio, seigniora._
_Limb._ Hold, pray stay a little, seignior; a thing is come into my
head of the sudden.
_Trick._ What would you have, you eternal sot? the man's in haste.
_Limb._ But why should you be in your frumps, Pug, when I design only
to oblige you? I must present you with this box of essences; nothing
can be too dear for thee.
_Trick._ Pray let him go, he understands no English.
_Limb._ Then how could you drive a bargain with him, Pug?
_Trick._ Why, by signs, you coxcomb.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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