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._ You must know, Pug, I was going but just now, in obedience to
your commands, to enquire of the health and safety of your jewels, and
my brother Brainsick most barbarously forbade me entrance:--nay, I
dare accuse you, when Pug's by to back me;--but now I am resolved I
will go see them, or somebody shall smoke for it.
_Brain._ But I resolve you shall not. If she pleases to command my
person, I can comply with the obligation of a cavalier.
_Trick._ But what reason had you to forbid him, then, sir?
_Limb._ Ay, what reason had you to forbid me, then, sir?
_Brain._ 'Twas only my caprichio, madam.--Now must I seem ignorant of
what she knows full well. [_Aside._
_Trick._ We'll enquire the cause at better leisure; come down, Mr
Limberham.
_Limb._ Nay, if it were only his caprichio, I am satisfied; though I
must tell you, I was in a kind of huff, to hear him _Tan ta ra, tan ta
ra,_ a quarter of an hour together; for _Tan ta ra_ is but an odd kind
of sound, you know, before a man's chamber.
_Enter_ PLEASANCE.
_Pleas._ [_Aside._] Judith has assured me, he must be there; and, I am
resolved, I'll satisfy my revenge at any rate upon my rivals.
_Trick._ Mrs Pleasance is come to call us: pray let us go.
_Pleas._ Oh dear, Mr Limberham, I have had the dreadfullest dream
to-night, and am come to tell it you: I dreamed you left your
mistress's jewels in your chamber, and the door open.
_Limb._ In good time be it spoken; and so I did, Mrs Pleasance.
_Pleas._ And that a great swinging thief came in, and whipt them out.
_Limb._ Marry, heaven forbid!
_Trick._ This is ridiculous: I'll speak to your mother, madam, not to
suffer you to eat such heavy suppers.
_Limb._ Nay, that's very true; for, you may remember she fed very much
upon larks and pigeons; and they are very heavy meat, as Pug says.
_Trick._ The jewels are all safe; I looked on them.
_Brain._ Will you never stand corrected, Mrs Pleasance?
_Pleas._ Not by you; correct your matrimony.--And methought, of a
sudden this thief was turned to Mr Woodall; and that, hearing Mr
Limberham come, he slipt for fear into the closet.
_Trick._ I looked all over it; I'm sure he is not there.--Come away,
dear.
_Brain._ What, I think you are in a dream too, brother Limberham.
_Limb._ If her dream should come out now! 'tis good to be sure,
however.
_Trick._ You are sure; have not I said it?--You had best make Mr
Woodall a thief, madam.
_Pleas._ I make him nothing, madam: but the thief in my dream was like
Mr Woodall; and that thief may have made Mr Limberham something.
_Limb._ Nay, Mr Woodall is no thief, that's certain; but if a thief
should be turned to Mr Woodall, that may be something.
_Trick._ Then I'll fetch out the jewels: will that satisfy you?
_Brain._ That shall satisfy him.
_Limb._ Yes, that shall satisfy me.
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