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
_Limb._ Very good! then I'll first pull him by the sleeve, that's a
sign to stay. Look you, Mr Seignior, I would make a present of your
essences to this lady; for I find I cannot speak too plain to you,
because you understand no English. Be not you refractory now, but take
ready money: that's a rule.
_Wood._ _Seignioro, non intendo Inglese._
_Limb._ This is a very dull fellow! he says, he does not intend
English. How much shall I offer him, Pug?
_Trick._ If you will present me, I have bidden him ten guineas.
_Limb._ And, before George, you bid him fair. Look you, Mr Seignior, I
will give you all these. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. Do you
see, Seignior?
_Wood._ _Seignior, si._
_Limb._ Lo' you there, Pug, he does see. Here, will you take me at my
word?
_Wood._ [_Shrugging up_] _Troppo poco, troppo poco._
_Limb._ _A poco, a poco!_ why a pox on you too, an' you go to that.
Stay, now I think on't, I can tickle him up with French; he'll
understand that sure. _Monsieur, voulez vous prendre ces dix guinees,
pour ces essences? mon foy c'est assez._
_Wood._ _Chi vala, amici: Ho di casa! taratapa, taratapa, eus, matou,
meau!_--[_To her._] I am at the end of my Italian; what will become of
me?
_Trick._ [_To him._] Speak any thing, and make it pass for Italian;
but be sure you take his money.
_Wood._ _Seignior, io non canno takare ten guinneo possibilmente; 'tis
to my losso._
_Limb._ That is, Pug, he cannot possibly take ten guineas, 'tis to his
loss: Now I understand him; this is almost English.
_Trick._ English! away, you fop: 'tis a kind of _lingua Franca_, as I
have heard the merchants call it; a certain compound language, made up
of all tongues, that passes through the Levant.
_Limb._ This _lingua_, what you call it, is the most rarest language!
I understand it as well as if it were English; you shall see me answer
him: _Seignioro, stay a littlo, and consider wello, ten guinnio is
monyo, a very considerablo summo._
_Trick._ Come, you shall make it twelve, and he shall take it for my
sake.
_Limb._ Then, _Seignioro,_ for _Pugsakio, addo two moro: je vous donne
bon advise: prenez vitement: prenez me a mon mot._
_Wood._ _Io losero multo; ma pergagnare il vestro costumo, datemi
hansello._
_Limb._ There is both _hansello_ and _guinnio; tako, tako,_ and so
good-morrow.
_Trick._ Good-morrow, seignior; I like your spirits very well; pray
let me have all your essence you can spare.
_Limb._ Come, _Puggio,_ and let us retire in _secreto_, like lovers,
into our _chambro_; for I grow _impatiento--bon matin, monsieur, bon
matin et bon jour._ [_Exeunt_ LIMBERHAM _and_ TRICKSY.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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