The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 03 — John Shaqi
The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 03Dryden, John
General
The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 03
Dryden, John
English drama -- 17th century
_Sir Mart._ Heigh, heigh, what makes my landlord here? He has put on a
fool's coat, I think, to make us laugh.
_Warn._ The devil's in him, he's at it again; his folly's like a sore in
a surfeited horse; cure it in one place, and it breaks out in another.
_Sir Mart._ Honest landlord, i'faith, and what makes you here?
_Sir John._ Are you acquainted with this honest man?
_Land._ Take heed what you say, sir.
[_To Sir_ MART. _softly_.
_Sir Mart._ Take heed what you say, sir! Why? who should I be afraid of?
of you, sir? I say, sir, I know him, sir; and I have reason to know
him, sir; for I am sure I lodge in his house, sir--nay, never think to
terrify me, sir; 'tis my landlord here in Charles-street, sir.
_Land._ Now I expect to be paid for the news I brought him.
_Sir John._ Sirrah, did not you tell me that my father--
_Land._ Is in very good health, for aught I know, sir; I beseech you to
trouble yourself no farther concerning him.
_Sir John._ Who set you on to tell this lie?
_Sir Mart._ Ay, who set you on, sirrah? This was a rogue that would
cozen us both; he thought I did not know him: Down on your marrowbones,
and confess the truth: Have you no tongue, you rascal?
_Sir John._ Sure 'tis some silenced minister: He grows so fat he cannot
speak.
_Land._ Why, sir, if you would know, 'twas for your sake I did it.
_Warn._ For my master's sake! why, you impudent varlet, do you think to
'scape us with a lye?
_Sir John._ How was it for his sake?
_Warn._ 'Twas for his own, sir; he heard you were the occasion the lady
lodged not at his house, and so he invented this lie; partly to revenge
himself of you; and partly, I believe, in hope to get her once again
when you were gone.
_Sir John._ Fetch me a cudgel, pr'ythee.
_Land._ O good sir! if you beat me, I shall run into oil immediately.
_Warn._ Hang him, rogue; he's below your anger: I'll maul him for
you--the rogue's so big, I think 'twill ask two days to beat him all
over.
[_Beats him._
_Land._ O rogue! O villain, Warner! bid him hold, and I'll confess,
sir.
_Warn._ Get you gone without replying: must such as you be prating?
[_Beats him out._
_Enter_ ROSE.
_Rose._ Sir, dinner waits you on the table.
_Sir John._ Friend, will you go along, and take part of a bad repast?
_Sir Mart._ Thank you; but I am just risen from table.
_Warn._ Now he might sit with his mistress, and has not the wit to find
it out.
_Sir John._ You shall be very welcome.
_Sir Mart._ I have no stomach, sir.
_Warn._ Get you in with a vengeance: You have a better stomach than you
think you have.
[_Pushes him._
_Sir Mart._ This hungry Diego rogue would shame me; he thinks a
gentleman can eat like a serving-man.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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