Thomas Otway: The Best Plays of the Old DramatistsOtway, Thomas
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Thomas Otway: The Best Plays of the Old Dramatists
Otway, Thomas
English drama -- 17th century; Otway, Thomas, 1652-1685
_Beau._ Sir Davy, I am heartily sorry--
_Sir Dav._ O sir, 'tis you I was seeking for, ha, ha, ha!--What
shall I say to him now to terrify him? [_Aside._
_Beau._ Me, sir!
_Sir Dav._ Ay, you, sir, if your name be Captain Beaugard.
[_Aside._] How like a fool he looks already!
_Beau._ What you please, sir.
_Sir Dav._ Sir, I would speak a word with you, if you think
fit.--What shall I do now to keep my countenance? [_Aside._
_Beau._ Can I be so happy, sir, as to be able to serve you in
anything?
_Sir Dav._ No, sir; ha, ha, ha! I have commands of service to
you, sir. O Lord! ha, ha, ha!
_Beau._ Me, sir!
_Sir Dav._ Ay, sir! you, sir: but put on your hat, friend, put
on your hat; be covered.
_Beau._ Sir, will you please to sit down on this bank?
_Sir Dav._ No, no, there's no need, no need; for all I have a
young wife, I can stand upon my legs, sweetheart.
_Beau._ Sir, I beseech you.
_Sir Dav._ By no means; I think, friend, we had some hard words
just now; 'twas about a paltry baggage; but she's a pretty
baggage, and a witty baggage, and a baggage that--
_Beau._ Sir, I am heartily ashamed of all misdemeanour on my
side.
_Sir Dav._ You do well; though are not you a damned
whore-master, a devilish cuckold-making fellow? Here, here,
do you see this? here's the ring you sent a-roguing; sir, do
you think my wife wants anything that you can help her to?
Why, I'll warrant this ring cost fifty pounds: what a prodigal
fellow are you to throw away so much money! or didst thou steal
it, old boy? I'll believe thou mayst be poor; I'll lend thee
money upon't, if thou thinkest fit, at thirty in the hundred,
because I love thee, ha, ha, ha!
_Beau._ Sir, your humble servant. I am sorry 'twas not worth
your lady's acceptance. [_Aside._] Now what a dog am I!
_Sir Dav._ I should have given it thee before, but, faith, I
forgot it, though it was not my wife's fault in the least; for
she says, as thou likest this usage, she hopes to have thy
custom again, child. Ha, ha, ha!
_Beau._ Then, sir, I beseech you tell her, that you have made
a convert of me, and that I am so sensible of my insolent
behaviour towards her--
_Sir Dav._ Very well, I shall do it.
_Beau._ That 'tis impossible I shall ever be at peace with
myself, till I find some way how I may make her reparation.
_Sir Dav._ Very good, ha, ha, ha!
_Beau._ And that if ever she find me guilty of the like offence
again--
_Sir Dav._ No, sir, you had best not; but proceed; ha, ha, ha!
_Beau._ Let her banish all good opinion of me for ever.
_Sir Dav._ No more to be said: your servant; good b'w'ye.
_Beau._ One word more, I beseech you, Sir Davy.
_Sir Dav._ What's that?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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