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
_Sylv._ 'Tis very unreasonably done of you, sir, to haunt me
up and down everywhere at this scandalous rate; the world will
think we are acquainted, shortly.
_Cour._ But, madam, I shall fairly take more care of my
reputation, and from this time forward shun and avoid you most
watchfully.
_Sylv._ Have you not haunted this place these two hours?
_Cour._ 'Twas because I knew it to be your ladyship's home,
then, and therefore might reasonably be the place you
least of all frequented; one would imagine you were gone
a-coxcomb-hunting by this time, to some place of public
appearance or other; 'tis pretty near the hour; 'twill be
twilight presently, and then the owls come all abroad.
_Sylv._ What need I take the trouble to go so far a-fowling,
when there's game enough at our own doors?
_Cour._ What, game for your net, fair lady?
_Sylv._ Yes, or any woman's net else, that will spread it.
_Cour._ To show you how despicably I think of the business, I
will here leave you presently, though I lose the pleasure of
railing at you.
_Sylv._ Do so, I would advise you; your raillery betrays your
wit, as bad as your clumsy civility does your breeding.
_Cour._ Adieu!
_Sylv._ Farewell!
_Cour._ Why do not you go about your business?
_Sylv._ Because I would be sure to be rid of you first, that
you might not dog me.
_Cour._ Were it but possible that you could answer me one
question truly, and then I should be satisfied.
_Sylv._ Any thing for composition to be rid of you handsomely.
_Cour._ Are you really very honest? look in my face, and tell
me that.
_Sylv._ Look in your face and tell you! for what? to spoil my
stomach to my supper?
_Cour._ No, but to get thee a stomach to thy bed, sweetheart; I
would if possible be better acquainted with thee, because thou
art very ill-natured.
_Sylv._ Your only way to bring that business about effectually,
is to be more troublesome; and if you think it worth your
while to be abused substantially, you may make your personal
appearance this night.
_Cour._ How? where? and when? and what hour, I beseech thee?
_Sylv._ Under the window, between the hours of eleven and
twelve exactly.
_Cour._ Where shall these lovely eyes and ears
Hear my plaints, and see my tears?
_Sylv._ At that kind hour thy griefs shall end,
If thou canst know thy foe from thy friend. [_Exit._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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