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
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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
_Lu._ Must every slight companion that can purchase a shew of
poverty and beggerly planet fall under your compassion?
_Lane._ Here's a new matter.
_Luce._ Nay, you are served but too well, here he staies yet, yet
as I live.
_Fran._ How her face alters on me!
_Luce._ Out of a confidence I hope.
_Isab._ I am glad on't.
_Fran._ How do you gentle Lady?
_Isab._ Much ashamed Sir, (but first stand further off me, y'are
infectious) to find such vanitie, nay almost impudence, where I believ'd
a worth: is this your thanks, the gratitude you were so mad to make me,
your trim counsel Gentlemen?
_Lane._ What, Lady?
_Isab._ Take your device again, it will not serve Sir, the woman
will not bite, you are finely cozened, drop it no more for shame.
_Luce._ Do you think you are here Sir amongst your wast-coateers,
your base wenches that scratch at such occasions? you are deluded: This
is a Gentlewoman of a noble house, born to a better fame than you can
build her, and eyes above your pitch.
_Fran._ I do acknowledge--
_Isab._ Then I beseech you Sir, what could 'see, (speak boldly, and
speak truly, shame the Devil,) in my behaviour of such easiness that you
durst venture to do this?
_Fran._ You amaze me, this Ring is none of mine, nor did I drop it.
_Luce._ I saw you drop it, Sir.
_Isab._ I took it up too, still looking when your modesty should
miss it, why, what a childish part was this?
_Fran._ I vow.
_Isab._ Vow me no vowes, he that dares do this, has bred himself to
boldness, to forswear too; there take your gew-gaw, you are too much
pampered, and I repent my part, as you grow older grow wiser if you can,
and so farewel Sir.
[_Exeunt_ Isabella, _and_ Luce.
_Lan._ Grow wiser if you can? she has put it to you, 'tis a rich
Ring, did you drop it?
_Fran._ Never, ne're saw it afore, _Lance_.
_Lan._ Thereby hangs a tail then: what slight she makes to catch
her self! look up Sir, you cannot lose her if you would, how daintily
she flies upon the Lure, and cunningly she makes her stops! whistle and
she'l come to you.
_Fran._ I would I were so happy.
_Lan._ Maids are Clocks, the greatest Wheel they show, goes slowest
to us, and make's hang on tedious hopes; the lesser, which are
concealed, being often oyl'd with wishes, flee like desires, and never
leave that motion, till the tongue strikes; she is flesh, blood and
marrow, young as her purpose, and soft as pity; no Monument to worship,
but a mould to make men in, a neat one, and I know how e're she appears
now, which is near enough, you are stark blind if you hit not soon at
night; she would venture forty pounds more but to feel a Flea in your
shape bite her: drop no more Rings forsooth, this was the prettiest
thing to know her heart by.
_Fran._ Thou putst me in much comfort.
_Lan._ Put your self in good comfort, if she do not point you out
the way, drop no more Rings, she'l drop her self into you.
_Fran._ I wonder my Brother comes not.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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