 | The City-Madam |  |
Scena prima.
Enter Goldwire, and Tradewell.Goldwire.
The Ship is safe in the Pool then?
Tradewell.
And makes good,
In her rich fraught, the name shee bears, the Speedwell:
My Master will find it, for on my certain knowledg
For every hundred that hee ventured in her
She hath return'd him five.
Goldwire.
And it comes timely,
For besides a paiment on the nail for a Mannor
I ate purchas'd by my Master, his young daughters
Are ripe for marriage.
2
Who? Nan, and Mall.
Goldwire.
Mistris Anne and Mary, and with some addition,
Or 'tis more punishable in our house
Then Scandalum magnatum.
Tradewell.
'Tis great pitie
Such a Gentleman as my Master for that title
His being a Citizen, cannot take from him,
Hath no male heir to inherit his estate,
And keep his name alive.
Goldwire.
The want of one
Swells my young Mistresses, and their madam mother
With hopes above their birth, and scale. Their dreams are
Of being made Countesses, and they take state
As they were such already. When you went
To the Indies, there was some shape and proportion
Of a Merchants house in our family, but since
My Master, to gain precedencie for my Mistris
Above some Elder Merchants Wives, was knighted,
'Tis grown a little Court, in bravery,
Variety of fashions, and those rich ones:
There are few great Ladies going to a Masque
That do out-shine ours in their every-day habits.
Tradewell.
'Tis strange my Master in his wisdom can
Give the reins to such exorbitancie.
Goldwire.
He must,
Or there's no peace nor rest for him at home;
I grant his state will bear it, yet hee's censur'd
For his indulgence, and for Sir John Frugall
By some styl'd Sir John Prodigal.
Tradewell.
Is his brother
Mr. Luke Frugal living?
Goldwire.
Yes, the more
His misery, poor man.
Tradewell.
Still in the Counter?
Goldwire.
In a worser place. He was redeemed from the hole,
To live in our house in hell: since his base usage
Consider'd, 'tis no better. My proud Ladie
Admits him to her Table, marry ever
3
Of her contempt and scorn; and dinner ended,
His courteous Neeces find emploiment for him
Fitting an under-prentice, or a Footman,
And not an Uncle.
Tradewel.
I wonder, being a Scholler well read, and travel'd,
The world yielding means for men of such desert,
He should endure it.
Enter Star-gaze, Ladie, Anne, Mary, Millescent, in several postures, with looking-glasses at their girdles.
Goldwire.
He does, with a strange patience; and to us
The servants so familiar, nay humble.
I'le tell you, but I am cut off. Look these
Like a Citizens wife and daughters?
Tradewel.
In their habits
They appear other things; but what are the motives
Of this strange preparation?
Goldwire.
The young wag-tails
Expect their suitors. The first, the Son and Heir
Of the Lord Lacie, who needs my Masters money,
As his daughter does his honour. The second Mr. Plenty,
A rough hew'n gentleman, and newly come
To a great estate, and so all aids of Art
In them's excusable.
Lady.
You have done your parts here:
To your studie, and be curious in the search
Of the Nativities.
Exit Stargaze.
Tradewel.
Me thinks the mother,
As if she could renew her youth, in care,
Nay curiosity to appear lovely,
Comes not behind her daughters.
Goldwire.
Keeps the first place,
And though the Church-book speak her fifty, they
That say she can write thirty, more offend her,
Then if they tax'd her honesty: t'other day
A Tenant of hers, instructed in her humor,
But one she never saw, being brought before her,
For saying onely, Good young Mistris help me
4
That he got his Lease renew'd for't.
Tradewell.
How she bristles:
Prethee observe her.
Millescent.
As I hope to see
A Country Knights son and heir walk bare before you
When you are a Countess, as you may be one
When my Master dies, or leavs trading; and I continuing
Your principal woman, take the upper-hand
Of a Squires wife, though a Justice, as I must
By the place you give me, you look now as young
As when you were married.
Lady.
I think I bear my years well.
Millescent.
Why should you talk of years? Time hath not plough'd
One furrow in your face; and were you not known
The mother of my young Ladies, you might passe
For a Virgin of fifteen.
Tradewell.
Here's no grosse flattery:
Will she swallow this?
Goldwire.
You see she does, and glibly.
Millescent.
You never can be old, wear but a Masque
Forty years hence, and you will still seem young
In your other parts: What a waste is here? O Venus!
That I had been born a King! and here a hand
To be kiss'd ever; Pardon my boldnesse, Madam:
Then, for a leg and foot you will be courted
When a great Grandmother.
Ladye.
These indeed, Wench, are not
So subject to decayings as the face,
Their Comliness last's longer.
Milliscent.
Ever, ever:
Such a rare Featur'd, and proportion'd Madam
London could never boast of.
Ladye.
Where are my Shoos.
Milliscent.
Those that your Ladyship gave order
Should be made of the Spanish Perfum'd Skins.
Ladye.
The same.
5
I sent the prison-bird this morning for em,
But he neglects his duty.
Ann.
He is grown
Exceeding carelesse.
Mary.
And begins to murmur
At our commands, and sometimes grumbles to us,
He is forsooth our Uncle.
Ladye.
He is your slave,
And as such use him.
Ann.
Willingly, but hee's grown
Rebellious Madam.
Enter Luke, with Shooes, Garters and Roses.
Goldwire.
Nay like Hen, like Chicken.
Ladye.
I'le humble him.
Goldwire.
Here he comes sweating all over,
He shews like a walking fripperie.
Lady.
Very good Sir,
Were you drunk last night, that you could rise no sooner
With humble diligence to do what my Daughters,
And woman did command you.
Luke.
Drunk, an't please you.
Lady.
Drunk, I said, Sirrah. Dar'st thou in a look
Repine, or grumble? thou unthankful wretch,
Did our charitie redeem thee out of prison,
Thy Patrimonie spent, ragged, and lowsie.
When the Sheriffs basket, and his broken meat
Were your Festivall exceedings, and is this
So soon forgotten?
Luke.
I confesse I am
Your Creature Madam.
Lady.
And good reason why
You should continue so.
Ann.
Who did new cloath you?
Mary.
Admitted you to the Dining-room?
Milliscent.
Allowed you a fresh bed in the garret?
Lady.
Or from whom
Receiv'd you spending money?
Luke.
I owe all this
6
The beggars satisfaction; all my studies,
(Forgetting what I was, but withall duty
Remembring what I am) are how to please you.
And if in my long stay I have offended,
I ask your pardon. Though you may consider,
Being forc'd to fetch these from the Old Exchange,
These from the Tower, and these from Westminster,
I could not come much sooner.
Goldwire.
Here was a walke
To breath a Foot-man.
Ann.
'Tis a curious Fan.
Mary.
These Roses will shew rare; would t'were in fashion
That the Garters might be seen too.
Milliscent.
Many Ladyes
That know they have good legs, wish the same with you:
Men that way have th'advantage.
Luke.
I was with the Lady,
And delivered her the Sattin
For her Gown, and Velvet for her Petticote,
This night She vows Shee'l pay you.
Goldwire.
How I am bound
To your favour M. Luke.
Milliscent.
As I live, you will
perfume all rooms you walk in.
Lady.
Get your Furr,
You shall pull'em on within.
Goldwire.
That servile office
Exit Luke.
Her pride imposes on him.
Sr. John
within
Goldwire. Tradewell.
Tradewell.
My Master calls. Welcome Sir.
Exeunt Goldwire, Tradewell.
Enter Holdfast with Porters.
Lady.
What have you brought there?
Holdfast.
The Cream of the market, provision enough
To serve a garrison. I weep to think on't.
When my Master got his wealth, his family fed
On roots, and livers, and necks of beef on Sundays.
7
Butchers meat will not go down.
Lady.
Why, you Rascall, is it at
Your expence? what Cooks have you provided?
Holdfast.
The best of the City. They have wrought at my Lord Mayors.
Ann.
Fye on em, they smel of Fleet-Lane, and Pie-corner.
Mary.
And thinks the happinesse of mans life consists
In a mighty shoulder of mutton.
Lady.
I'le have none
Shall touch what I shall eat, you grumbling Curr,
But French-men and Italians; they wear Sattin,
And dish no meat but in Silver.
Holdfast.
You may want, though,
A dish or two when the service ends.
Lady.
Leave prating,
I'le have my will; do you as I command you.
Exeunt
| The City-Madam | |