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
_Val._ Take a thousand, I will not keep it, nor thou shalt not have
it, because thou camest i'th' nick, thou shalt not have it, go take
possession, and be sure you hold it, hold fast with both hands, for
there be those hounds uncoupled, will ring you such a knell, go down in
glory, and march upon my land, and cry, All's mine; cry as the Devil
did, and be the Devil, mark what an Echo follows, build fine
March-panes, to entertain Sir Silk-worm and his Lady, and pull the
Chappel down, and raise a Chamber for Mistress Silver-pin, to lay her
belly in, mark what an Earthquake comes. Then foolish Merchant my
Tenants are no Subjects, they obey nothing, and they are people too
never Christened, they know no Law nor Conscience, they'll devour thee;
and thou mortal, the stopple, they'll confound thee within three days;
no bit nor memory of what thou wert, no not the Wart upon thy Nose
there, shall be e're heard of more; go take possession, and bring thy
Children down, to rost like Rabbets, they love young Toasts and Butter,
_Bow-bell_ Suckers; as they love mischief, and hate Law, they are
Cannibals; bring down thy kindred too, that be not fruitful, there be
those Mandrakes that will mollifie 'em, go take possession. I'le go to
my Chamber, afore Boy go. [_Exeunt._
_Mer._ He's mad sure.
_Unc._ He's half drunk sure: and yet I like this unwillingness to
lose it, this looking back.
_Mer._ Yes, if he did it handsomely, but he's so harsh and strange.
_Unc._ Believe it 'tis his drink, Sir, and I am glad his drink has
thrust it out.
_Mer._ Cannibals? if ever I come to view his Regiment, if fair
terms may be had.
_Unc._ He tells you true, Sir, they are a bunch of the most
boisterous Rascals disorder ever made, let 'em be mad once, the power of
the whole Country cannot cool 'em, be patient but a while.
_Mer._ As long as you will, Sir, before I buy a bargain of such
Runts, I'le buy a Colledge for Bears, and live among 'em.
_Enter_ Francisco, Lance, _Boy with a Torch_.
_Fran._ How dost thou now?
_Lan._ Better than I was, and straighter, but my head's a Hogshead
still, it rowls and tumbles.
_Fran._ Thou wert cruelly paid.
_Lan._ I may live to requite it, put a Snaffle of Sack in my mouth
and then ride me very well.
_Fran._ 'Twas all but sport, I'le tell thee what I mean now, I mean
to see this Wench.
_Lan._ Where a Devil is she? and there were two, 'twere better.
_Fran._ Dost thou hear the Bell ring?
_Lan._ Yes, yes.
_Fran._ Then she comes to prayers, early each morning thither: Now
if I could but meet her, for I am of another mettle now.
_Enter_ Isabel, _and_ Shorthose _with a Torch_.
_Lan._ What light's yon?
_Fran._ Ha, 'tis a light, take her by the hand and court her.
_Lan._ Take her below the girdle, you'l never speed else, it comes
on this way still, oh that I had but such an opportunity in a Saw-pit,
how it comes on, comes on! 'tis here.
_Fran._ 'Tis she: fortune I kiss thy hand--Good morrow Lady.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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