Wit Without Money; A Comedy: The Works of Francis Beaumont and John FletcherFletcher, John
General
Wit Without Money; A Comedy: The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher
Fletcher, John
Comedy plays; English drama -- 17th century
_Short._ Well, Sir, then buy you better Cloaths, and get your Hat
drest, and your Laundress to wash your Boots white.
_Fran._ Pray stay Sir, may you not be mistaken.
_Short._ I think I am, give me the money again, come quick, quick,
quick.
_Fran._ I would be loth to render, till I am sure it be so.
_Short._ Hark in your ear, is not your name _Francisco_?
_Fran._ Yes.
_Short._ Be quiet then, it may Thunder a hundred times, before such
stones fall: do you not need it?
_Fran._ Yes.
_Short._ And 'tis thought you have it.
_Fran._ I think I have.
_Short._ Then hold it fast, 'tis not fly-blown, you may pay for the
poundage, you forget your self, I have not seen a Gentleman so backward,
a wanting Gentleman.
_Fran._ Your mercy, Sir.
_Short._ Friend, you have mercy, a whole bag full of mercy, be
merry with it, and be wise.
_Fran._ I would fain, if it please you, but know--
_Short._ It does not please me, tell over your money, and be not
mad, Boy.
_Val._ You have no more such bags?
_Short._ More such there are, Sir, but few I fear for you, I have
cast your water, you have wit, you need no money. [_Exit._
_Lan._ Be not amazed, Sir, 'tis good gold, good old gold, this is
restorative, and in good time, it comes to do you good, keep it and use
it, let honest fingers feel it, yours be too quick Sir.
_Fran._ He named me, and he gave it me, but from whom.
_Lan._ Let 'em send more, and then examine it, this can be but a
Preface.
_Fran._ Being a stranger, of whom can I deserve this?
_Lan._ Sir, of any man that has but eyes, and manly understanding
to find mens wants, good men are bound to do so.
_Val._ Now you see, _Frank_, there are more wayes than
certainties, now you believe: What Plough brought you this Harvest, what
sale of Timber, Coals, or what Annuities? These feed no Hinds, nor wait
the expectation of Quarterdaies, you see it showers in to you, you are
an Ass, lie plodding, and lie fooling, about this Blazing Star, and that
bo-peep, whining, and fasting, to find the natural reason why a Dog
turns twice about before he lie down, what use of these, or what joy in
Annuities, where every man's thy study, and thy Tenant, I am ashamed on
thee.
_Lan._ Yes, I have seen this fellow, there's a wealthy Widow hard
by.
_Val._ Yes marry is there.
_Lan._ I think he's her servant, or I am couzen'd else, I am sure
on't.
_Fran._ I am glad on't.
_Lan._ She's a good Woman.
_Fran._ I am gladder.
_Lan._ And young enough believe.
_Fran._ I am gladder of all, Sir.
_Val_. _Frank_, you shall lye with me soon.
_Fran._ I thank my money.
_Lan._ His money shall lie with me, three in a Bed, Sir, will be
too much this weather.
_Val._ Meet me at the Mermaid, and thou shalt see what things--
_Lan._ Trust to your self Sir. [_Exeunt_ Fran. _and_ Val.
_Enter_ Fount. Bella. _and_ Valentine.
_Fount._ O _Valentine_!
_Val._ How now, why do you look so?
_Bella._ The Widow's going, man.
_Val._ Why let her go, man.
_Hare._ She's going out o'th' Town.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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