 | The Humorous Lieutenant |  |
Scæne 3.
Enter Leucippe (reading) and two Maids at a Table, writing.Leu.
Have ye written to Merione?
1. Ma.
Yes, Madam.
Leu.
And let her understand the hopes she has
If she come speedilie—
1. Ma.
All these are specified,
Leu.
And of the chaine is sent her,
And the rich stuffe to make her shew more hansome here?
1 Maid.
All this is done, Madam.
Leu.
What have you dispatcht there?
2 Mai.
A letter to the Countrey maid, and't please ye.
Leu.
A pretty girle, but peevish, plaguy peevish:
Have ye bought the embroydered gloves, and that purse for her,
And the new Curle?
2. Maid.
They are ready packt up Madam.
Leu.
Her maiden-head will yeeld me; let me see now;
She is not fifteen they say: for her complexion—
Cloe, Cloe, Cloe, here, I have her,
Cloe, the Daughter of a Countrey gentleman;
Her age upon fifteen: now her complexion,
A lovely browne; here 'tis; eyes black and rolling,
The body neatly built: she strikes a Lute well,
Sings most inticingly: these helpes consider'd,
Her maiden-head will amount to some three hundred,
Or three hundred & fifty crowns; 'twil bear it handsomly.
Her father's poore, some little share deducted,
To buy him a hunting Nag; I, 'twill be pretty:
VVho takes care of the Merchants wife?
1 Mai.
I have wrought her.
Leu.
You know for whom she is?
127
Very well, Madam,
Though very much adoe, I had to make her
Apprehend that happinesse.
Leu.
These kinde are subtile:
Did she not cry and blubber when ye urg'd her.
1. Maid.
O most extremly, & swore she would rather perish.
Leu.
Good signes, very good signes,
Symptomes of easie nature.
Had she the plate?
1. Maid.
She lookt upon't, and left it,
And turn'd againe, and view'd it.
Leu.
Very well still.
1 Maid.
At length she was content to let it lye there,
Till I call'd for't, or so,
Leu.
She will come?
1. Maid.
Doe you take me
For such a foole, I would part without that promise?
Leu.
The Chambers next the park.
2. Maid.
The Widdow Madam,
You bad me look upon.
Leu.
Hang her, she is mustie:
She is no mans meat; beside, she is poore and sluttish:
Where lies old Thisbe now, you are so so long now—
2. Ma.
Thisbe, Thisbe, This. agent Thisbe, ô I have her,
She lyes now in Nicopolis.
Leu.
Dispatch a packet,
And tell her, her superiour here commands her,
The next Mon'th not to faile, but see deliver'd
Here to our use, some twenty young and handsome,
As also able maids, for the Court service,
As she will answer it: we are out of beautie,
Utterly out, and rub the time away here,
With such blown stuff, I am asham'd to send it.
Who's that? look out, to your businesse maid,
Knock within.
There's nothing got by idlenesse: There is a Lady,
Which if I can but buckle with, Altea,
A, A, A, A, Altea, young, and married,
And a great lover of her husband, well,
Not to be brought to Court: say ye so? I am sorry,
The Court shall be brought to you then: how now, who is't?
1. Maid.
An ancient woman, with a maid attending,
A pretty girle, but out of cloathes; for a little money,
It seemes she would put her to your bringing up, Madam,
Enter Woman, and Phebe.
Leu.
Let her come in. Would ye ought with us, good woman?
I pray be short, we are full of businesse.
Wo.
I have a tender girle here, and't please your honour.
Leu.
Very well.
VVom.
That hath a great desire to serve your worship.
Leu.
It may be so; I am full of Maids.
VVom.
She is young, forsooth—
And for her truth; and as they say her bearing.
Leu.
Ye say well: come ye hither maid, let me feel your pulse,
'Tis somewhat weak, but nature will grow stronger,
Let me see your leg, she treads but low ith' pasternes.
VVom.
A cork heele Madam.
Leu.
We know what will doe it,
Without your aime good woman: what do you pitch her at?
Shee's but a slight toy—cannot hold out long.
VVom.
Even what yon think is meet.
Leu.
Give her ten Crowns, we are full of businesse,
Shee is a poore woman, let her take a Cheese home:
Enter the wench ith' office.
Ex. VVom. & 1. Mai.
2. Maid.
What's your name, sister?
Phe.
Phebe forsooth.
Leu.
A pretty name; 'twill doe well:
Goe in, and let the other maid instruct ye Phebe;
Ex. Phe.
Let my old velvet skirt be made fit for her,
I'le put her into action for a wascoate,
And when I have rigg'd her up once, this small Pinnace
Shall saile for gold, and good store too: who's there?
Knock within.
Lord, shall we never have any ease in this world?
Still troubled? still molested? what would you have?
Ent. Menippe.
I cannot furnish ye faster then I am able
And ye were my husband a thousand times, I cannot do it;
At least a dozen poasts are gone this morning
For severall parts of the Kingdome: I can do no more
But pay 'em, and instruct 'em.
Men.
Prethee, good sweet heart,
I come not to disturbe thee, nor discourage thee,
I know thou labour'st truly: harke in thine eare.
Leu.
Ha?
What do you make so dainty on't? looke there,
I am an Asse, I can do nothing.
Men.
Celia?
I, this is she; a stranger borne.
Leu.
What would you give for more now?
Men.
Prethee, my best Leucippe, ther's much hangs ont
Lodg'd at the end of Marse's street? thats true too;
At the sacke of such a Towne, by such a Souldier
Preserv'd a prisoner: and by Prince Demetrius
Bought from that man againe, maintain'd, and favourd:
How came you by this knowledge?
Leu.
Poore weake man,
I have a thousand eyes, when thou art sleeping,
Abroad, and full of businesse.
Men.
You never tri'd her?
Leu.
No, she is beyond my levell; so hedg'd in
By the Princes infinite love, and favour to her—
Men.
She is a hansome wench.
Leu.
A delicate, and knowes it;
And out of that proofe armes her selfe.
Men.
Come in then;
I have a great designe from the King to you,
And you must worke like waxe now.
Leu.
On this Lady?
Men.
On this, and all your wits call home.
Leu.
I have done.
Toyes in my time of some note; old as I am,
I thinke my braines will worke without barme,
Take up the Bookes.
Men.
As we goe in, I'le tell ye.
Exeunt.
| The Humorous Lieutenant | |