English drama -- 17th century
WIT. All’s gone! still thou’rt a gentleman, that’s all; but a poor one, that’s nothing. What milk bring[2] thy meadows forth now? where are thy goodly uplands, and thy down lands? all sunk into that little pit, lechery. Why should a gallant pay but two shillings for his ordina...
WIT. All’s gone! still thou’rt a gentleman, that’s all; but a poor one, that’s nothing. What milk bring[2] thy meadows forth now? where are thy goodly uplands, and thy down land...
2. SCENE II.WIT. Mine host! HOST. Young master Witgood! WIT. I have been laying[16] all the town for thee. HOST. Why, what’s the news, bully Had-land? WIT. What geldings are in the house, o...
3. SCENE III.LAM. Nay, good master Lucre, and you, master Hoard, anger is the wind which you’re both too much troubled withal. HOA. Shall my adversary thus daily affront[20] me, ripping up t...
4. SCENE IV.HOST. Fear you nothing, sir; I have lodged her in a house of credit, I warrant you. WIT. Hast thou the writings? HOST. Firm, sir. WIT. Prithee, stay, and behold two the most pro...
5. ACT II. SCENE I.LUC. My adversary evermore twits me with my nephew, forsooth, my nephew: why may not a virtuous uncle have a dissolute nephew? What though he be a brotheller, a wastethrift, a c...
6. SCENE II._Enter_ HOARD _and_ MONEYLOVE. MON. Faith, master Hoard, I have bestowed many months in the suit of your niece, such was the dear love I ever bore to her virtues: but since she...
7. ACT III. SCENE I._Enter_ WITGOOD _and Three Creditors_. WIT. Why, alas, my creditors, could you find no other time to undo me but now? rather your malice appears in this than the justness of the...
8. SCENE II.HOA. Niece, sweet niece, prithee, have a care to my house; I leave all to thy discretion. Be content to dream awhile; I’ll have a husband for thee shortly: put that care upon me...
9. SCENE III._Enter_ HOARD, _Gentlemen,[80] and Drawer_. DRA. You’re very welcome, gentlemen.—Dick, shew those gentlemen the Pomegranate there. HOA. Hist! DRA. Up those stairs, gentlemen. HO...
10. SCENE IV._Enter_ DAMPIT, _drunk_. DAM. When did I say my prayers? In anno 88, when the great armada was coming; and in anno 89,[90] when the great thundering and lightning was, I prayed...
11. ACT IV. SCENE I.FIRST G. Join hearts, join hands, In wedlock’s bands, Never to part Till death cleave your heart. [_To_ HOARD] You shall forsake all other women; [_To Courtesan_] You lords, kni...
12. SCENE II.LUC. My son-in-law, Sam Freedom, where’s my nephew? FREE. _O man in lamentation_,[105] father. LUC. How! FREE. He thumps his breast like a gallant dicer that has lost his double...
13. SCENE III.FIRST C. I’ll wait these seven hours but I’ll see him caught. SEC. C. Faith, so will I. THIRD C. Hang him, prodigal! he’s stript of the widow. FIRST C. A’ my troth, she’s the wi...
14. SCENE IV.HOA. What a sweet blessing hast thou, master Hoard, above a multitude! wilt thou never be thankful? how dost thou think to be blest another time? or dost thou count this the ful...
15. SCENE V.DAMPIT _in bed_; AUDREY _spinning by; Boy_. AUD. [_singing_] _Let the usurer cram him, in interest that excel, There’s pits enow to damn him before he comes to hell; In Holborn...
16. ACT V. SCENE I._Enter_ LUCRE _and_ WITGOOD. WIT. Nay, uncle, let me prevail with you so much; I’faith, go, now he has invited you. LUC. I shall have great joy there when he has borne away the...
17. SCENE II._Enter_ HOARD _tasting wine, Host following in a livery cloak_. HOA. Pup, pup, pup, pup, I like not this wine: is there never a better tierce in the house? HOST. Yes, sir, there...
18. ACT I. SCENE I.GLI. Tricks and shows! Protestations with men are like tears with women, forgot ere the cheek be dry. Gerardine is a gentleman; his lands be in statutes: ’a[178] is not for thee...
19. SCENE II.LIP. Now, by the horns of Cupid’s bow, which hath been the bane to many a tall[187] citizen, I think there be no finer fools under heaven than we men when we are lovers. How tho...
20. SCENE III._Enter_ CLUB. CLUB. Mistress? MIS. P. I pray, what said master doctor Glister? will ’a come? CLUB. ’A sent word ’a would, for ’a was but to carry a diet to one of his patients—w...
21. ACT II. SCENE I._Enter_ PURGE. PUR. The grey-eyed morning braves me to my face, and calls me sluggard: ’tis time for tradesmen to be in their shops; for he that tends well his shop, and hath an...
22. SCENE II.GLI. The tedious night is past, and the jocund morn looks more lively and fresh than an old gentlewoman’s glazed face in a new periwig. By this time my humorous lover is at Grav...
23. SCENE III.GUD. Master Lipsalve, welcome within ken: we two are so nearly linked, that if thou beest absent but one two hours, thy acquaintance grows almost mouldy in my memory. LIP. And t...
24. SCENE IV.MIS. G. I pray,[238] let’s have no polluted feet nor rheumatic chaps enter the house; I shall have my floor look more greasy shortly than one of your inn-of-court dining-tables....
25. ACT III. SCENE I.GER. The coast is clear, and Argus’ wakeful eyes Securely sleep: time turns to us his front. Come, sweet Maria, of th’ auspicious hours Let’s take advantage. MAR. With all my he...
26. SCENE II._Enter_ LIPSALVE _disguised as_ GERARDINE, _and_ SHRIMP. LIP. Now, mistress Maria, ward yourself: if my strong hope fail not, I shall be with you to bring—— SHR. To bring what,...
27. SCENE III.MIS. P. Fie, fie, Club, go a’ t’other side the way, thou collowest[287] me and my ruff; thou wilt make me an unclean member i’ the congregation. CLUB. If you be unclean, mistres...
28. SCENE IV.LIP. Fortune, devil’s turd i’ thy teeth! I’ll turn no more o’ thy wheel: art is above thy might. What though my project with mistress Maria failed? more ways to the wood than on...
29. SCENE V.[301ᚨGUD. O the naked pastimes of love, the scourge of dulness, the purifier of uncleanness, and the hot-house of humanity! I have taken physic of master Purge any time this twelvem...
30. SCENE VI.and in good time I see my brave spirits shining in bright armour, nakedly burning in the hell-fire of lechery, and ready for the hot encounter: sound trumpets, the combatants ar...
31. SCENE VII.MAR. Gerardine, come forth, Maria calls! Those ribs shall not enfold thy buxom limbs One minute longer: the cincture of mine arms Shall more securely keep thy soul from harms. G...
32. ACT IV. SCENE I.GUD. Come, boys, our clothes,[315] boys: and what is the most current news, Periwinkle? PER. Faith, sir, fortune hath favoured us with no news but what the pedlar brought from N...
33. SCENE II.GER. Thou sacred deity, Love! Thou power predominate, more to be admir’d Than able to be exprest, whose orb includes All terrene joys which are! all states which be Pay to thy s...
34. SCENE III.MAR. Good aunt, quiet yourself: ground not upon dreams; you know they are ever contrary. MIS. G. Minion, minion, coin no excuses: I grant dreams are deceitful, but a true judgme...
35. SCENE IV.LIP. Our hopes are cross’d: sure there’s some providence Which countermands libidinous appetites, For what we most intend is counter-check’d By strange and unexpected accidents;...
36. ACT V. SCENE I.MIS. G. This was your colour[369] to keep her close; but what cloak ha’ you for her’s and your own shame? What, your own niece, your brother’s daughter, besides your bastard in...
37. SCENE II.MAR. Now nature’s pencil and the hand of time Give[383] life and limb to generation’s act, My shame and guilt in wordless notes appear, The argument of scorn. O now I stand The...
38. SCENE III.DRY. Come, Club, come, there’s a merry fray towards;[390] we shall see the death of melancholy; wherein thou and I must call a grand jury of jests together, and pass upon them w...
39. ACT I. SCENE I.AR. Is your pawn good and sound, sir? SEC. F. I’ll pawn my life for that, sir. AR. Place yourself there then; I will seek to prefer it presently. My master is very jealous[443]...
40. SCENE II.FIT. You do your beauties injury, sweet virgin, To lose the time they must rejoice in youth: There’s no perfection in a woman plac’d But wastes itself though it be never wasted;...
41. ACT II. SCENE I.PRI. Mistress Newcut, welcome: here will be choice of gallants for you anon. MIS. N. Is all clear? may I venture? am I not seen of the wicked? PRI. Strange absurdity, that you s...
42. SCENE II.FIT. My pocket pick’d? this was no brothel-house! A music-school? damnation has fine shapes: I paid enough for the song, I’ve[534] lost a jewel To me more precious than their so...
43. SCENE III.[537PRI. Where be your liveries? FIRST C. They attend without. PRI. Go, call the coach. [_Exit Servant._]—Gentlemen, you have excelled in kindness as we in boldness. TAI. So you thi...
44. ACT III.[582] SCENE I.TAI. [_reads_] _My husband is rode from home: make no delay; I know, if your will be as free as your horse, you will see me yet ere dinner. From Kingston, this eleventh of Novem...
45. SCENE II.[588PUR. Boy. BOY. Sir? PUR. Walk my horse behind yon thicket; give a word if you descry. BOY. I have all perfect, sir. [_Exit._ PUR. So; he cannot now be long. What with my boy’s d...
46. SCENE III.PUR. A gull call you him? let me always set upon wise men; they’ll be afraid of their lives; they have a feeling of their iniquities, and know[604] what ’tis to die with fightin...
47. SCENE IV.FIT. Nay, read forward: I have found three of your gallants, like your bewitching shame,[609] merely sophistical: there’s your bawd-gallant, your pocket-gallant, and your whore-...
48. SCENE V.PUR. See that dissembling devil, that perjur’d strumpet! [_Aside._ FIRST C. Welcome, my soul’s best wish. O, out, alas! Thy arm bound in a scarf? I shall swoon instantly. PUR. H...
49. ACT IV. SCENE I.JACK. Who knocks? SER. A Christian: pray, is not this master Tailby’s lodging? I was directed hither. JACK. Yes, this is my master’s lodging. SER. Cry you mercy, sir: is he yet...
50. SCENE II.TAI. Came this suit from mistress Cleveland? JACK. She sent it secretly, sir. TAI. A pretty requiteful squall! I like that woman that can remember a good turn three months after...
51. SCENE III.GOL. Master Bouser, master Bouser! ha, ha, ho! master Bouser! FIT. [_within_] Holla! GOL. What, not out of thy kennel, master Bouser? FIT. [_within_] Master Goldstone? you’re an...
52. SCENE IV.FRI. What may I conjecture of this Goldstone? he has not only pawned to me this cloak, but the very diamond and sapphire which I bestowed upon my new love at master Primero’s ho...
53. SCENE V.BUN. How now, Marmaduke? what’s the wager? MAR. Nay, my care is at end, sir, now I am come to the sight of you. My mistress, your cousin, entreats you to take part of a dinner w...
54. SCENE VI.PUR. Art sure thou sawest him receive’t, boy? BOY. Forty pound in gold, as I’m a gentleman born. PUR. Thy father gave the ram’s head,[641] boy? BOY. No, you’re deceived; my moth...
55. SCENE VII.MIS. N. Why, how now, sirrah? upon twelve of the clock, and not the cloth laid yet? must we needs keep Exchange time still? MAR. I am about it, forsooth. MIS. N. You’re about it...
56. SCENE VIII.PY. No less than forty pound in fair gold at one lift! the next shall swoon and swoon again till the devil fetch him, ere I set hand to him. Heart, nothing vexes me so much, but...
57. ACT V. SCENE I.FIRST C. Come forth, you wary, private-whispering strumpet! Have we found your close haunts, your private watch-towers, and your subtle means? MIS. N. How then? SEC. C. You can...
58. SCENE II.KAT. Grave gentlemen, in whose approved bosoms My deceas’d father did repose much faith, You’re dearly welcome: pray, sit, command music; See nothing want to beautify this night...
59. ACT I. SCENE I.MAW. Captain, regent, principal! HOB. What shall I call thee? the noble spark of bounty! the life-blood of society! FOL. Call me your forecast, you whoresons! when you come drun...
60. SCENE II.HAR. She may make night-work on’t; ’twas well recover’d;[739] He-cats and courtesans stroll most i’ th’ night: Her friend may be receiv’d and convey’d forth nightly; I’ll be at...
61. ACT II. SCENE I.FIRST K. You have been too much like your name, sir Bounteous. SIR B. O, not so, good knights, not so; you know my humour: most welcome, good sir Andrew Pollcut;[757] sir Aquita...
62. SCENE II.SIR B. You must pardon us, my lord, hasty cates; your honour has had even a hunting-meal on’t; and now I am like to bring your lordship to as mean a lodging; a hard down bed, i’...
63. SCENE III.COUR. Go, sirrah, run presently to master Penitent Brothel; you know his lodging; knock him up; I know he cannot sleep for sighing; Tell him, I’ve happily bethought a mean To ma...
64. SCENE IV.[_Within_] Oh! FOL. Hark! they’re at their business. [_Within_] Thieves, thieves! FOL. Gag that gaping rascal! though he be my grandsire’s chief gentleman i’ th’ chain of gold,[...
65. SCENE V.SIR B. O gentlemen, and[782] you be kind gentlemen, what countrymen are you? FOL. Lincolnshire men, sir. SIR B. I am glad of that, i’faith. FOL. And why should you be glad of th...
66. SCENE VI.COUR. O master Penitent Brothel! PEN. B. What is’t, sweet lady Gullman, that so seizes on thee with rapture and admiration? COUR. A thought, a trick, to make you, sir, especiall...
67. SCENE VII.SIR B. Ah, poor honest footman! how did’st thou ’scape this massacre? FOOT. E’en by miracle, and lying in my clothes, sir. SIR B. I think so; I would I had lain in my clothes to...
68. ACT III. SCENE I.RAL. Here, sir. HAR. Call down your mistress to welcome these two gentlemen, my friends. RAL. I shall, sir. [_Exit._ HAR. I will observe her carriage, and watch The slippery rev...
69. SCENE II.PEN. B. Lady! COUR. Ha, what news? PEN. B. There’s one sir Bounteous Progress newly alighted from his foot-cloth,[805] and his mare waits at door, as the fashion is. COUR. ’Slid...
70. SCENE III.FOL. Was’t not well managed, you necessary mischiefs? did the plot want either life or art? MAW. ’Twas so well, captain, I would you could make such another muss[824] at all adv...
71. ACT IV. SCENE I.PEN. B. Ha? read that place again—_Adultery Draws the divorce ’twixt heaven and the soul_. Accursed man, that stand’st divorc’d from heaven! Thou wretched unthrift, that hast pl...
72. SCENE II.SIR B. Why, how now, master Gumwater? what’s the news with your haste? GUM. I have a thing to tell your worship—— SIR B. Why, prithee, tell me; speak, man. GUM. Your worship sha...
73. SCENE III.GUM. Come, lady: you know where you are now? FOL. Yes, good master Gumwater. GUM. This is the old closet, you know. FOL. I remember it well, sir. GUM. There stands a casket: I w...
74. SCENE IV.SER. What’s your will, sir? PEN. B. Is master Harebrain[865] at home? SER. No, newly gone from it, sir. PEN. B. Where’s the gentlewoman his wife? SER. My mistress is within, sir...
75. SCENE V.FOL. What, so coy, so strict? come, come! COUR. Pray, change your opinion, sir; I am not for that use. FOL. Will you but hear me? COUR. I shall hear that I would not. [_Exit._ F...
76. ACT V. SCENE I.SIR B. Have a care, blue coats.[892] Bestir yourself, master Gumwater; cast an eye into th’ kitchen; o’erlook the knaves a little. Every Jack has his friend to-day; this cousin,...
77. SCENE II.SIR B. More lights, more stools! sit, sit: the plays begins. HAR.[907] Have you players here, sir Bounteous? SIR B. We have ’em for you, sir; fine nimble comedians, proper actor...
78. ACT I. SCENE I.NEAT. The young gentleman, our young master, sir Alexander’s son, is it into his ears, sweet damsel, emblem of fragility, you desire to have a message transported, or to be tran...
79. ACT II. SCENE I.MIS. OPEN. Gentlemen, what is’t you lack?[967] what is’t you buy? see fine bands and ruffs, fine lawns, fine cambrics: what is’t you lack, gentlemen? what is’t you buy? LAX. Yon...
80. SCENE II.Though else kept under servile yoke and fear; The very bond-slave has his freedom there. Amongst a world of creatures voic’d and silent, Must my desires wear fetters?—Yea, are y...
81. ACT III. SCENE I.LAX. Coachman. COACH. Here, sir. LAX. There’s a tester[1015] more; prithee drive thy coach to the hither end of Marybone-park, a fit place for Moll to get in. COACH. Marybone-pa...
82. SCENE II.GAL. What, Pru! nay, sweet Prudence! MIS. G. What a pruing keep you! I think the baby would have a teat, it kyes[1034] so. Pray, be not so fond of me, leave your city humours; I...
83. SCENE III.S. ALEX. Out with your tale, sir Davy, to sir Adam: A knave is in mine eye deep in my debt. S. DAVY. Nay, if he be a knave, sir, hold him fast. [SIR D. DAPPER _and_ SIR A. APPLE...
84. ACT IV. SCENE I.O wretched father!—Now, Trapdoor, will she come? TRAP. In man’s apparel, sir; I’m in her heart now, And share in all her secrets. S. ALEX. Peace, peace, peace! Here, take my Ger...
85. SCENE II.MIS. G. Is, then, that bird of yours, master Goshawk, so wild? MIS. O. A Goshawk? a puttock;[1089] all for prey: he angles for fish, but he loves flesh better. MIS. G. Is’t poss...
86. ACT V. SCENE I.J. DAP. But, prithee, master captain Jack, be plain and perspicuous with me; was it your Meg of Westminster’s courage[1134] that rescued me from the Poultry puttocks[1135] indee...
87. SCENE II.S. ALEX. My son marry a thief, that impudent girl, Whom all the world stick their worst eyes upon! GREEN. How will your care prevent it? GOS. ’Tis impossible: They marry close,...
88. act ii. sc. 1._motions of Fleet Street, and visions of Holborn_] The editor of 1816 says that he “knows not _exactly_ what these visions were:” nor do I: they are evidently used here as a can...
89. act iv. sc. 3, is a stage-direction, “_Baffles_ him_Brainford_] See note, p. 463. The inn called _The Three Pigeons_ was resorted to by company of an inferior rank. At a later period, when puritanism had silenced the stage, it w...