English drama (Comedy); English drama -- 17th century
_Ver._ Ay, I'll meet with you, I warrant; but it shall be at Olivia's.
Sure, it cannot be: she denies it so calmly, and with that honest
modest assurance, it cannot be true--and he does not use to lie--but
belying a woman when she won't be kind, is the only lie a brave man
will least scruple. But then the woman in man's clothes, whom he
calls a man--well, but by her breasts I know her to be a woman--but
then again, his appointment from her, to meet him again to-night! I
am distracted more with doubt than jealousy. Well, I have no way to
disabuse or revenge myself, but by going home immediately, putting on a
riding-suit, and pretending to my wife the same business which carried
me out of town last, requires me again to go post to Oxford to-night.
Then, if the appointment he boasts of be true, it's sure to hold, and I
shall have an opportunity either of clearing her, or revenging myself
on both. Perhaps she is his wench, of an old date, and I am his cully,
whilst I think him mine; and he has seemed to make his wench rich, only
that I might take her off his hands. Or if he has but lately lain with
her, he must needs discover by her my treachery to him; which I'm sure
he will revenge with my death, and which I must prevent with his, if it
were only but for fear of his too just reproaches; for I must confess,
I never had till now any excuse but that of interest, for doing ill to
him. [_Exit._
_Re-enter_ MANLY _and_ FREEMAN.
_Man._ Come hither; only, I say, be sure you mistake not the time. You
know the house exactly where Olivia lodges, 'tis just hard by.
_Free._ Yes, yes.
_Man._ Well then, bring 'em all, I say, thither, and all you know that
may be then in the house; for the more witnesses I have of her infamy,
the greater will be my revenge: and be sure you come straight up to her
chamber without more ado. Here, take the watch; you see 'tis above a
quarter past seven; be there in half an hour exactly.
_Free._ You need not doubt my diligence or dexterity; I am an old
scourer, and can naturally beat up a wench's quarters that won't be
civil. Shan't we break her windows too?
_Man._ No, no; be punctual only. [_Exeunt._
SCENE III.--_A Room in the same._
_Enter_ Widow BLACKACRE, _and two_ Knights of the Post,[126]
_a_ Waiter _following with wine._
_Wid._ Sweetheart, are you sure the door was shut close, that none of
those roysters saw us come in?
_Wait._ Yes, mistress; and you shall have a privater room above,
instantly. [_Exit._
_Wid._ You are safe enough, gentlemen; for I have been private in this
house ere now, upon other occasions, when I was something younger.
Come, gentlemen; in short, I leave my business to your care and
fidelity: and so here's to you.
_1st Knight._ We are ungrateful rogues if we should not be honest to
you; for we have had a great deal of your money.
_Wid._ And you have done me many a good job for't; and so, here's to
you again.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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