English drama -- 17th century
_Roch, Main, and Petronill, itch and ague curers_] Compare Taylor the water-poet: “he must be content with his office, as ... Saint Roch with scabbes and scurfes ... Saint Petronella the Ague or any Feuer.” _A Bawd_, p. 93—_Workes_, 1630.
_Roch, Main, and Petronill, itch and ague curers_] Compare Taylor the water-poet: “he must be content with his office, as ... Saint Roch with scabbes and scurfes ... Saint Petro...
2. ACT I. SCENE I.SIM. Is the law firm, sir? FIRST LAW. The law! what more firm, sir, More powerful, forcible, or more permanent? SIM. By my troth, sir, I partly do believe it; conceive, sir, You...
3. ACT II. SCENE I.EVAN. Executioner! CRAT. My lord. EVAN. How did old Diocles take his death? CRAT. As weeping brides receive their joys at night;[117] With trembling, yet with patience. EVAN. Wh...
4. SCENE II.EUG. Parthenia. PARTH. Mother. EUG. I shall be troubled This six months with an old clog; would the law Had been cut one year shorter! PARTH. Did you call, forsooth? EUG. Yes, y...
5. ACT III. SCENE I.GNOTH. You have searched o’er the parish-chronicle, sir? CLERK. Yes, sir; I have found out the true age and date of the party you wot on. GNOTH. Pray you, be covered, sir. CLERK...
6. SCENE II.EUG. Gentlemen courtiers. FIRST COURT. All your vow’d servants,[177] lady. EUG. O, I shall kill myself with infinite laughter! Will nobody take my part? SIM. An’t be a laughing...
7. ACT IV. SCENE I.DRAW. Welcome, gentlemen; will you not draw near? will you drink at door, gentlemen? BUT. O, the summer air’s best. DRAW. What wine will[’t] please you drink, gentlemen? BUT. De...
8. SCENE II.CLEAN. What’s that? O, nothing but the whispering wind Breathes through yon churlish hawthorn, that grew rude, As if it chid the gentle breath that kiss’d it. I cannot be too ci...
9. ACT V. SCENE I.SIM. Be ready with your prisoner; we’ll sit instantly, And rise before eleven,[258] or when we please; Shall we not, fellow[259]-judges? FIRST COURT. ’Tis committed All to our p...
10. ACT I.RAY. What Raynulph, monk of Chester, can Raise from his Polychronicon, That raiseth him, as works do men, To see long-parted light agen,[357] That best may please this round fai...
11. SCENE I.VORT. Will that wide-throated beast, the multitude, Never leave bellowing? Courtiers are ill Advisèd when they first make such monsters. How near was I to a sceptre and a crown!...
12. SCENE II.VORT. This way his majesty comes. ALL. Thank your good lordship. VORT. When you hear yon door open— ALL. Very good, my lord. VORT. Be ready with your several suits; put forward....
13. ACT II. SCENE I.CAST. My lord, I am resolv’d; tempt me no farther; ’Tis all to fruitless purpose. VORT. Are you well? CAST. Never so perfect in the truth of health As at this instant. VORT. The...
14. SCENE II.GENT. My lord! VORT. I fear thy news will fetch a curse, it comes With such a violence. GENT. The people are up In arms against you. VORT. O this dream of glory! Sweet power, be...
15. SCENE III.FIRST GENT. My lord, these Saxons bring a fortune with them Stay[s][408] any Roman success. VORT. On, speak, forwards! I will not take one minute from thy tidings. FIRST GENT. T...
16. ACT III. SCENE I.ROX. I’ve[420] no conceit[421] now that you ever lov’d me, But as lust led you for the time. HOR. See, see! ROX. Do you pine at my advancement, sir? HOR. O barrenness Of underst...
17. SCENE II.CAST. Methinks, you live strange lives; when I see it not, It grieves me less; you know how to ease me then: If you but knew how well I lov’d your absence, You would bestow’t[43...
18. SCENE III.HEN. A fair and fortunate constellation reign’d When we set foot here; for from his first gift (Which to a king’s unbounded eyes seem’d nothing), The compass of a hide, I have e...
19. ACT IV. SCENE I.SIM. Lo,[474] I, the Mayor of Queenborough by name, With all my brethren, saving one that’s lame, Are come as fast as fiery mill-horse gallops To greet thy grace, thy queen, and...
20. SCENE II.HENG. A welcome, mighty lord, may appear costlier, More full of toil and talk, shew and conceit; But one more stor’d with thankful love and truth I forbid all the sons of men to...
21. SCENE III.HENG. If we let slip this opportuneful hour, Take leave of fortune, certainty, or thought Of ever fixing: we are loose at root, And the least storm may rend us from the bosom Of...
22. ACT V. SCENE I.SIM. Is not that rebel Oliver, that traitor to my year, ’prehended yet? AMIN. Not yet, so please your worship. SIM. Not yet, sayest thou? how durst thou say, not yet, and see me...
23. SCENE II.UTH. My lord, the castle is so fortified— AUR. Let wild-fire ruin it, That his destruction may appear to him In the figure of heaven’s wrath at the last day, That murderer of ou...
24. ACT I. SCENE I.HIP. Ay, marry, sir, the only rising up in arms is in the arms of a woman: peace, I say still, is your only paradise, when every Adam may have his Christmas Eve. And[551] you ta...
25. SCENE II.LAZ. Boy, I am melancholy, because I burn. PILCH. And I am melancholy, because I am a-cold. LAZ. I pine away with the desire of flesh. PILCH. It’s neither flesh nor fish that I...
26. ACT II. SCENE I.FONT. Am I so happy then? TRUE. Nay, sweet monsieur— FONT. O, boy, thou hast new-wing’d my captiv’d soul! Now to my fortune all the Fates may yield, For I have won where first I...
27. SCENE II.IMP. Fie, fie, fie, fie, by the light oath of my fan, the weather is exceeding tedious and faint. Trivia, Simperina, stir, stir, stir: one of you open the casements, t’other tak...
28. ACT III. SCENE I.FRIS. The wooden picture you sent her hath set her on fire; and she desires you, as you pity the case of a poor desperate gentlewoman, to serve that Monsieur in at supper to her.
29. SCENE II.FRIS. Play you my part bravely; you must look like a slave: and you shall see I’ll counterfeit the Frenchman most knavishly. My mistress, for your sake, charged me on her blessi...
30. SCENE III.CUR. I must not stay, thou sayst? SIM. God’s me, away! CUR. Buss, buss again;—here’s sixpence;—buss again,— Farewell: I must not stay then? SIM. Foh! CUR. Farewell: At ten a’ cl...
31. ACT IV. SCENE I.CUR. Just ten? ’tis ten just: that’s the fixed hour For payment of my love’s due fees; that broke, I forfeit a huge sum of joys: ho, love, I’ll keep time just to a minute, I; A...
32. SCENE II._Music suddenly plays and birds sing: enter_ LAZARILLO _bareheaded, in his shirt, a pair of pantaples[722] on, a rapier in his hand and a tobacco-pipe: he seems amazed, and walk...
33. SCENE III.CUR. Brisk as a capering tailor! I was wash’d, But did they shave me? no, I am too wise; Lie close i’ th’ bosom of their knaveries; I’m[732] an old hoary courtier, and strike de...
34. ACT V. SCENE I.CAM. Gentlemen and noble Italians, whom I love best, who know best what wrongs I have stood under, being laid on by him who is to thank me for his life: I did bestow him, as the...
35. SCENE II.IMP. Ah, you little effeminate sweet chevalier, why dost thou not get a loose periwig of hair on the chin, to set thy French face off? By the panting pulse of Venus, thou art we...
36. SCENE III.OMNES.[776] We are dishonour’d; give us way; he dies, He dies—— DUKE. I charge you, by your duties to The state, and love to gentry, sheathe your weapons. BLURT. Stand: I charge...
37. ACT I. SCENE I.DUKE. My lords, Know that we, far from any natural pride, Or touch of temporal sway, have seen our face In our grave council’s foreheads, where doth stand Our truest glass, made...
38. SCENE II.FIRST SOL. There’s noble purchase,[802] captain. SECOND SOL. Nay, admirable purchase. THIRD SOL. Enough to make us proud for ever. CAP. Hah? FIRST SOL. Never was opportunity so...
39. SCENE III.PROD. Pooh, you do resist me hardly. CAS. I beseech your lordship, cease in this: ’tis never to be granted. If you come as a friend unto my honour, and my husband, you shall be...
40. SCENE IV.GROOM. Gentlemen, you’re most neatly welcome. PHŒ. You’re very cleanly, sir: prithee, have a care to our geldings. GROOM. Your geldings shall be well considered. FID. Considered...
41. SCENE V.JEW. WIFE. Is my sweet knight coming? are you certain he’s coming? BOY. Certain, forsooth; I am sure I saw him out of the barber’s shop, ere I would come away. JEW. WIFE. A barb...
42. SCENE VI.FIRST SUIT. May it please your good worship, master justice—— FAL. Please me and please yourself; that’s my word. FIRST SUIT. The party your worship sent for will by no means be...
43. ACT II. SCENE I.PHŒ. Fear not me, Fidelio: become you that invisible ropemaker the scrivener, that binds a man as he walks, yet all his joints at liberty, as well as I’ll fit that common folly...
44. SCENE II.CAP. Away! CAS. Captain, my husband—— CAP. Hence! we’re at a price for thee, at a price; Wants but the telling and the sealing; then—— CAS. Have you no sense, neither of my good...
45. SCENE III.FAL. Why, this is but the second time of your coming, kinsman; visit me oftener.—Daughter, I charge you bring this gentleman along with you:—gentleman! I cry ye mercy, sir; I ca...
46. ACT III. SCENE I.FAL. Why, Latronello! Furtivo! Fucato! Where be these lazy knaves that should truss me?[876] not one stirring yet? [_A Cry within._] Follow, follow, follow! FAL. What news there...
47. SCENE II.KNIGHT. It stands upon the frame of my reputation, I protest, lady. JEW. WIFE. Lady? that word is worth an hundred angels[887] at all times, for it cost more: if I live till to-...
48. ACT IV. SCENE I.PROD. Come hither, Phœnix.[890] PHŒ. What makes your honour break so early? PROD. A toy, I have a toy.[891] PHŒ. A toy, my lord? PROD. Before thou lay’st thy wrath upon the duke...
49. SCENE II.MAID. Here, sir: now you are there, sir, she’ll come down to you instantly. I must not stay with you; my mistress would be jealous: you must do nothing to me; my mistress would...
50. SCENE III.KNIGHT. Adieu, farewell;[911] to bed you; I to my sweet city-bird, my precious Revenue: the very thought of a hundred and fifty angels[912] increases oil and spirit, ho! FIRST O...
51. ACT V. SCENE I.PROD. Now, Phœnix.[919] PHŒ. Now, my lord. PROD. Let princely blood Nourish our hopes; we bring confusion now. PHŒ. A terrible sudden blow. PROD. Ay: what day Is this hangs over...
52. ACT I. SCENE I.SALE. What, master Rearage? REAR. Master Salewood? exceedingly well met in town. Comes your father up this term? SALE. Why, he was here three days before the Exchequer gaped. RE...
53. SCENE II.HELL. Come, leave your puling and sighing. COUN. W. Beshrew you now, why did you entice me from my father? HELL. Why? to thy better advancement. Wouldst thou, a pretty, beautifu...
54. ACT II. SCENE I.REAR. Gentlemen, I ha’ sworn I’ll change the room. Dice? devils! LET. You see I’m patient, gentlemen. SALE. Ay, the fiend’s in’t! you’re patient; you put up all. REAR. Come, set...
55. SCENE II.FATH. Where shall I seek her now? O, if she knew The dangers that attend on women’s lives, She’d[1004] rather lodge under a poor thatch’d roof Than under carved ceilings! She wa...
56. SCENE III.THO. Were these fit words, think you, to be sent to any citizen’s wife,—to enjoy the daughter, and love the mother too for a need? I would foully scorn that man that should love...
57. ACT III. SCENE I.HELL. You talk of an alteration: here’s the thing itself. What base birth does not raiment make glorious? and what glorious births do not rags make infamous? Why should not a wo...
58. SCENE II.EASY. Boy. BOY. Anon, sir. EASY. Where left you master Blastfield, your master, say you? BOY. An hour since I left him in Paul’s,[1067] sir:—but you’ll not find him the same man...
59. SCENE III.SHO. So, no man is so impudent to deny that: spirits[1068] can change their shapes, and soonest of all into sergeants, because they are cousin-germans to spirits; for there’s bu...
60. SCENE IV.QUO. Ha! have they him, sayst thou? BOY. As sure as—— QUO. The land’s mine: that’s sure enough, boy. Let me advance thee, knave, and give thee a kiss: My plot’s so firm, I dare...
61. SCENE V.REAR. Now the letter’s made up and all; it wants but the print of a seal, and away it goes to master Quomodo. Andrew Lethe is well whipt in’t; his name stands in a white sheet h...
62. ACT IV. SCENE I.SHO. Made fools of us! not to be found! QUO. What, what? EASY. Do not undo me quite, though, master Quomodo. QUO. You’re very welcome, master Easy: I ha’ nothing to say to you;...
63. SCENE II.FA. Though I be poor, ’tis my glory to live honest. COUN. W. I prithee, do not leave me. FA. To be bawd! Hell has not such an office. I thought at first your mind had been prese...
64. SCENE III.SHO. Run, boy; bid ’em ring out; he’s dead, he’s gone. BOY. Then is as arrant a knave gone as e’er was called upon. [_Exit._ SHO. The happiest good that ever Shortyard felt! I w...
65. SCENE IV.QUO. What a beloved man did I live! My servants gall their fingers with ringing,[1117] my wife’s cheeks smart with weeping, tears stand in every corner,—you may take water in my...
66. ACT V. SCENE I.SHO. I have not scope enough within my breast To keep my joys contain’d: I’m Quomodo’s heir; The lands, assurances, and all are mine: I’ve[1132] tript his son’s heels up above t...
67. SCENE II.LET. Heart of shame! Upon my wedding morning so disgrac’d! Have you so little conscience, officers, You will not take a bribe? COUN. W. Master Lethe, we may lie together lawfull...
68. SCENE III.JUD. His cozenages are odious: he the plaintiff! Not only fram’d deceitful in his life, But so to mock his funeral! EASY. Most just: The Livery all assembled, mourning weeds Thr...
69. scene 1. (vol. v. p. 87), Weatherwise says, “If I, that have proceededin five-and-twenty such books of astronomy, should not be able to put down a scholar _now in one thousand six hundred thirty and eight_, the dominical letter being G, I stood fo...
70. Act iii. scene 1,—_Works_, by Gifford, vol. v. p. 247.Written, we are told, by Sir William Lower, on Middleton’s _Michaelmas Term_. They are given by Chetwood in “An Account of the Author,” prefixed to a reprint of _Blurt Master Co...
71. Act ii. last scene.“The former [Middleton] was a man of considerable powers, who has lately been the object of much discussion, on account of the liberal use which Shakspeare is ascertained to hav...