Wit Without Money; A Comedy: The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher — John Shaqi
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
_Lan._ You Lady, or your fair Sister there, here's a Gentleman that
has received a benefit.
_Wid._ From whom, Sir?
_Lan._ From one of you, as he supposes, Madam, your man delivered
it.
_Wid._ I pray go forward.
_Lan._ And of so great a goodness, that he dares not, without the
tender of his thanks and service, pass by the house.
_Wid._ Which is the Gentleman?
_Lan._ This, Madam.
_Wid._ What's your name, Sir?
_Fran._ They that know me call me _Francisco_, Lady, one not
so proud to scorn so timely a benefit, nor so wretched to hide a
gratitude.
_Wid._ It is well bestowed then.
_Fran._ Your fair self, or your Sister as it seems, for what desert
I dare not know, unless a handsome subject for your charities, or
aptness in your noble will to do it, have showred upon my wants a timely
bounty, which makes me rich in thanks, my best inheritance.
_Wid._ I am sorry 'twas not mine, this is the Gentlewoman, fie, do
not blush, go roundly to the matter, the man is a pretty man.
_Isab._ You have three fine ones.
_Fran._ Then to you, dear Lady?
_Isab._ I pray no more, Sir, if I may perswade you, your only
aptness to do this is recompence, and more than I expected.
_Fran._ But good Lady.
_Isab._ And for me further to be acquainted with it besides the
imputation of vain glory, were greedy thankings of my self, I did it not
to be more affected to; I did it, and if it happened where I thought it
fitted, I have my end; more to enquire is curious in either of us, more
than that suspicious.
_Fran._ But gentle Lady, 'twill be necessary.
_Isab._ About the right way nothing, do not fright it, being to
pious use and tender sighted, with the blown face of Complements, it
blasts it; had you not come at all, but thought thanks, it had been too
much, 'twas not to see your person.
_Wid._ A brave dissembling Rogue, and how she carries it!
_Isa._ Though I believe few handsomer; or hear you, though I affect
a good tongue well; or try you, though my years desire a friend, that I
relieved you.
_Wid._ A plaguie cunning quean.
_Isab._ For so I carried it, my end's too glorious in mine eyes,
and bettered the goodness I propounded with opinion.
_Wid._ Fear her not, Sir.
_Isa._ You cannot catch me, Sister.
_Fran._ Will you both teach, and tie my tongue up Lady?
_Isa._ Let it suffice you have it, it was never mine, whilest good
men wanted it.
_Lan._ This is a Saint sure.
_Isa._ And if you be not such a one, restore it.
_Fran._ To commend my self, were more officious than you think my
thanks are, to doubt I may be worth your gift a treason, both to mine
own good and understanding, I know my mind clear, and though modesty
tells me, he that intreats intrudes; yet I must think something, and of
some season, met with your better taste, this had not been else.
_Wid._ What ward for that, wench?
_Isa._ Alas, it never touched me.
_Fran._ Well, gentle Lady, yours is the first money I ever took
upon a forced ill manners.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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