English drama (Comedy); English drama -- 17th century
_Dor._ Thou sha't not stir, thou robust creature; you see I can deal
with you, therefore you should stay the rather, and be kind. [_To_
LUCY, _who struggles to get from him._
_Re-enter_ PINCHWIFE.
_Pinch._ Gone, gone, not to be found! quite gone! ten thousand plagues
go with 'em! Which way went they?
_Alith._ But into t'other walk, brother.
_Lucy._ Their business will be done presently sure, an't please your
worship; it can't be long in doing, I'm sure on't.
_Alith._ Are they not there?
_Pinch._ No, you know where they are, you infamous wretch, eternal
shame of your family, which you do not dishonour enough yourself you
think, but you must help her to do it too, thou legion of bawds!
_Alith._ Good brother--
_Pinch._ Damned, damned sister!
_Alith._ Look you here, she's coming.
_Re-enter_ Mrs. PINCHWIFE _running, with her hat full of
oranges and dried fruit under her arm,_ HORNER _following._
_Mrs. Pinch._ O dear bud, look you here what I have got, see!
_Pinch._ And what I have got here too, which you can't see! [_Aside,
rubbing his forehead._
_Mrs. Pinch._ The fine gentleman has given me better things yet.
_Pinch._ Has he so?--[_Aside._] Out of breath and coloured!--I must
hold yet.
_Horn._ I have only given your little brother an orange, sir.
_Pinch. [To_ HORNER.] Thank you, sir.--[_Aside._] You have only
squeezed my orange, I suppose, and given it me again; yet I must have a
city patience.--[_To his_ Wife.] Come, come away.
_Mrs. Pinch._ Stay, till I have put up my fine things, bud.
_Enter_ Sir JASPER FIDGET.
_Sir Jasp._ O, Master Horner, come, come, the ladies stay for you; your
mistress, my wife, wonders you make not more haste to her.
_Horn._ I have stayed this half hour for you here, and 'tis your fault
I am not now with your wife.
_Sir Jasp._ But, pray, don't let her know so much; the truth on't is, I
was advancing a certain project to his majesty about--I'll tell you.
_Horn._ No, let's go, and hear it at your house. Good night, sweet
little gentleman; one kiss more, you'll remember me now, I hope.
[_Kisses her._
_Dor._ What, Sir Jasper, will you separate friends? He promised to sup
with us, and if you take him to your house, you'll be in danger of our
company too.
_Sir Jasp._ Alas! gentlemen, my house is not fit for you; there are
none but civil women there, which are not for your turn. He, you know,
can bear with the society of civil women now, ha! ha! ha! besides, he's
one of my family--he's--he! he! he!
_Dor._ What is he?
_Sir Jasp._ Faith, my eunuch, since you'll have it; he! he! he!
[_Exeunt_ Sir JASPER FIDGET _and_ HORNER.
_Dor._ I rather wish thou wert his or my cuckold. Harcourt, what a good
cuckold is lost there for want of a man to make him one? Thee and I
cannot have Horner's privilege, who can make use of it.
_Har._ Ay, to poor Horner 'tis like coming to an estate at threescore,
when a man can't be the better for't.
_Pinch._ Come.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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