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
_Wid._ Pray be not impudent, these are the finest toyes, belike I
am married then?
_Mer._ You are in a miserable estate in the worlds account else, I
would not for your wealth it come to doubting.
_Wid._ And I am great with child?
_Unc._ No, great they say not, but 'tis a full opinion you are with
child, and great joy among the Gentlemen, your husband hath bestirred
himself fairly.
_Mer._ Alas, we know his private hours of entrance, how long, and
when he stayed, could name the bed too, where he paid down his
first-fruits.
_Wid._ I shall believe anon.
_Unc._ And we consider for some private reasons, you would have it
private, yet take your own pleasure; and so good morrow, my best Niece,
my sweetest.
_Wid._ No, no, pray stay.
_Unc._ I know you would be with him, love him, and love him well.
_Mer._ You'l find him noble, this may beget--
_Unc._ It must needs work upon her.
[_Exit_ Uncle, _and_ Mer.
_Wid._ These are fine bobs i'faith, married, and with child too!
how long has this been, I trow? they seem grave fellows, they should not
come to flout; married, and bedded, the world takes notice too! where
lies this May-game? I could be vext extreamly now, and rail too, but
'tis to no end, though I itch a little, must I be scratcht I know not
how, who waits there?
_Enter_ Humphrey, _a_ Servant.
_Hum._ Madam.
_Wid._ Make ready my Coach quickly, and wait you only, and hark you
Sir, be secret and speedy, inquire out where he lies.
_Hum._ I shall do it, Madam.
_Wid._ Married, and got with child in a dream! 'tis fine i'faith,
sure he that did this, would do better waking. [_Exit._
_Enter_ Valentine, Fran. Lance, _and a Boy with a Torch_.
_Val._ Hold thy Torch handsomely: how dost thou _Frank_?
_Peter Bassel_, bear up.
_Fran._ You have fried me soundly, Sack do you call this drink?
_Val._ A shrewd dog, _Frank_, will bite abundantly.
_Lan._ Now could I fight, and fight with thee.
_Val._ With me, thou man of _Memphis_?
_Lan._ But that thou art mine own natural master, yet my sack says
thou art no man, thou art a Pagan, and pawnest thy land, which a noble
cause.
_Val._ No arms, nor arms, good _Lancelot_, dear _Lance_,
no fighting here, we will have Lands boy, Livings, and Titles, thou
shalt be a Vice-Roy, hang fighting, hang't 'tis out of fashion.
_Lan._ I would fain labour you into your lands again, go to, it is
behoveful.
_Fran._ Fie _Lance_, fie.
_Lan._ I must beat some body, and why not my Master, before a
stranger? charity and beating begins at home.
_Val._ Come, thou shalt beat me.
_Lan._ I will not be compel'd, and you were two Masters, I scorn
the motion.
_Val._ Wilt thou sleep?
_Lan._ I scorn sleep.
_Val._ Wilt thou go eat?
_Lan._ I scorn meat, I come for rompering, I come to wait upon my
charge discreetly; for look you, if you will not take your Mortgage
again, here do I lie S' George, and so forth.
_Val._ And here do I S' George, bestride the Dragon, thus with my
Lance.
_Lan._ I sting, I sting with my tail.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account