Wit Without Money; A Comedy: The Works of Francis Beaumont and John FletcherFletcher, John
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Wit Without Money; A Comedy: The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher
Fletcher, John
Comedy plays; English drama -- 17th century
_Isa._ The last of me, if ever you use other.
_Fran._ How may I do, and your way to be thought a grateful taker?
_Isa._ Spend it, and say nothing, your modesty may deserve more.
_Wid._ O Sister will you bar thankfulness?
_Isa._ Dogs dance for meat, would ye have men do worse? for they
can speak, cry out like Wood-mongers, good deeds by the hundreds, I did
it that my best friend should not know it, wine and vain glory does as
much as I else, if you will force my merit, against my meaning, use it
in well bestowing it, in shewing it came to be a benefit, and was so;
and not examining a Woman did it, or to what end, in not believing
sometimes your self, when drink and stirring conversation may ripen
strange perswasions.
_Fran._ Gentle Lady, I were a base receiver of a courtesie, and you
a worse disposer, were my nature unfurnished of these fore-sights.
Ladies honours were ever in my thoughts, unspotted Crimes, their good
deeds holy Temples, where the incense burns not; to common eyes your
fears are vertuous, and so I shall preserve 'em.
_Isa._ Keep but this way, and from this place to tell me so, you
have paid me; and so I wish you see all fortune. [_Exit._
_Wid._ Fear not, the Woman will be thanked, I do not doubt it. Are
you so crafty, carry it so precisely? this is to wake my fears, or to
abuse me, I shall look narrowly: despair not Gentlemen, there is an hour
to catch a Woman in, if you be wise, so, I must leave you too; Now will
I go laugh at my Suitors. [_Exit._
_Lan._ Sir, what courage?
_Fran._ This Woman is a founder, and cites Statutes to all her
benefits.
_Lan._ I never knew yet, so few years and so cunning, yet believe
me she has an itch, but how to make her confess it, for it is a crafty
Tit, and plays about you, will not bite home, she would fain, but she
dares not; carry your self but so discreetly, Sir, that want or
wantonness seem not to search you, and you shall see her open.
_Fran._ I do love her, and were I rich, would give two thousand
pound to wed her wit but one hour, oh 'tis a Dragon, and such a spritely
way of pleasure, ha _Lance_.
_Lan._ Your ha _Lance_ broken once, you would cry, ho, ho,
_Lance_.
_Fran._ Some leaden landed Rogue will have this wench now, when
all's done, some such youth will carry her, and wear her, greasie out
like stuff, some Dunce that knows no more but Markets, and admires
nothing but a long charge at Sizes: O the fortunes!
_Enter_ Isabel _and_ Luce.
_Lan._ Comfort your self.
_Luce._ They are here yet, and alone too, boldly upon't; nay,
Mistress, I still told you, how 'twould find your trust, this 'tis to
venture your charity upon a boy.
_Lan._ Now, what's the matter? stand fast, and like your self.
_Isa._ Prethee no more Wench.
_Luce._ What was his want to you?
_Isa._ 'Tis true.
_Luce._ Or misery, or say he had been i'th' Cage, was there no
mercy to look abroad but yours?
_Isa._ I am paid for fooling.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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