English drama (Comedy); English drama -- 17th century
_Flirt._ Then you must take the lease of my house, and furnish it as
becomes one of my quality; for don't you think we'll take up with your
old Queen Elizabeth furniture, as your wives do.
_Mons._ Indeed there she is least like a wife, as she says.
_Flirt._ Then for house-keeping, servants' wages, clothes, and
the rest, I'll be contented with a thousand pounds a year present
maintenance, and but three hundred pounds a year separate maintenance
for my life, when your love grows cold. But I am contented with a
thousand pounds a year, because for pendants, neck-laces, and all sorts
of jewels, and such trifles, nay, and some plate, I will shift myself
as I can; make shifts, which you shall not take any notice of.
_Mons._ A thousand pounds a year! what will wenching come to? Time was
a man might have fared as well at a much cheaper rate, and a lady of
one's affections, instead of a house, would have been contented with a
little chamber, three pair of stairs backward, with a little closet or
ladder to't; and instead of variety of new gowns and rich petticoats,
with her _deshabillé_, or flame-colour gown called Indian, and slippers
of the same, would have been contented for a twelvemonth; and instead
of visits and gadding to plays, would have entertained herself at
home with "St. George for England," "The Knight of the Sun," or "The
Practice of Piety;" and instead of sending her wine and meat from the
French-houses, would have been contented, if you had given her, poor
wretch, but credit at the next chandler's and chequered cellar;[67] and
then, instead of a coach, would have been well satisfied to have gone
out and taken the air for three or four hours in the evening in the
balcony, poor soul. Well, Flirt, however, we'll agree:--'tis but three
hundred pounds a year separate maintenance, you say, when I am weary of
thee and the charge.
_Don._ [_Aside._]--Robbed of my honour, my daughter, and my revenge
too! O my dear honour! Nothing vexes me, but that the world should
say I had not Spanish policy enough to keep my daughter from being
debauched from me. But methinks my Spanish policy might help me yet. I
have it--so--I will cheat 'em all; for I will declare I understood the
whole plot and contrivance, and connived at it, finding my cousin a
fool, and not answering my expectation. Well, but then if I approve of
the match, I must give this mock-dancing-master my estate, especially
since half he would have in right of my daughter, and in spite of me.
Well, I am resolved to turn the cheat upon themselves, and give them my
consent and estate.
_Mons._ Come, come, ne'er be troubled, uncle: 'twas a combination, you
see, of all these heads and your daughter's, you know what I mean,
uncle, not to be thwarted or governed by all the Spanish policy in
Christendom. I'm sure my French policy would not have governed her; so
since I have 'scaped her, I am glad I have 'scaped her, _jarni!_
_Mrs. Caut._ Come, brother, you are wiser than I, you see: ay, ay.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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