University of Virginia Library

Scœn. 2.

Enter Camelion and Hannah.
Cam.
Cock, I protest Cock, I commend thy course
Thou hast taken in brave Lodgers, gallant Guests,
Guests o'th' Game Cock; and my house is counted
A house of quality and recreation, Cock,
In civil sort and gentle fashion, Cock,
Sbobs Cock, I know thou wouldest not have it otherwise
For all the wealth i'th' Exchange.

Han.
But Rafe you care not
What people say, so I bring you in profit.

Cam.
Not I, not I, my little Cocksie Nansie,
Not I, pish, Hony soit qui maly pense.

Han.
Some do not stick to say, I know what's what,
And that our house is no better then it should be.

Cam.
Pish, Hony soit agen, i'th' very teeth of 'hem,
Let 'hem all say what they will. Dainty come thou to me.

Han.
But I know what I know, and that our house is
Better then it should be, if some of them
Had but the keeping of it, that speak so ill on't.
And that the Gentlewomen in our house
Are well-condition'd, and as chaste as courteous.
And if you saw, (as they desire I should
See all betwixt their great Resorts and them)
You'd be in love with their sweet way of living.
Then for their dancing, 'tis so neat and graceful.
See 'hem anon at practice.

Cam.
Not I, Cock, I'le see nothing.
I will not leave one ducking pond, for ten dancing schooles.
Yet I can dance, and love it: you know that Cock.
And though you are a Gentlewoman borne,
You took me for my legs, not for my armes.
Is not that a good Jest, Cock. Sbobs 'twas out before
I was aware. Here comes their father.

Enter Strigood, Cash, disguiz'd in bravery.
Cam.
It seems he has brought in some new scholar.

Stri.
Where are my daughters, Landlady.

Han.
Close in their chamber, sir.

Stri.
Are none of our Academicks come yet?

Han.
Not any, sir.

Stri.
I look for some anon
Pray bid the Girles come down
To practise.

Han.
Yes, sir.

Ex.
Cam.
Sir, when I was a Batchelour, I practis'd,
Dauncing sometimes.

Stri.
Indeed, good Landlord?

Cam.
And maugre wedlock, I have something left
Yet in these legs, that can expresse at least
Love to the quality.

Stri.
That shall not be lost,
If I can further it.

Cam.
I saw last night
Your new French daunce of three, what call you it?

Stri.
O the Tresboun.

Cam.
I think I could make one in't.

Stri.
This Gentleman's another, call the Musick.
I'le try what you can do.
Ex. Cam.
Cash, Thou art welcom, I am glad I met thee.

Cash.
But that you had foreknowledge of my habit,
And seen it in my out-leaps, as you call 'hem,
I might ha' past. But you in this disguise,
None but the devil himself that is your Inmate,
And lodges with you in it, could have known you.
Sure he devis'd it.

Stri.
No, you are short.
I learn't it of a Jesuite.
And 'twas but easie: shaving of my old
Gray haire and beard off; clapping on this perrule
After the fashion; having but few wrinkles.
(For which I thank my Batchelourship, I passe

For a brisk youth. But for my Hannibal eye here. And
by my brothers

Courteous advice I have ta'ne a course to live
Vpon my stock of wit, slight and activity,
With nimble braine, quick hands, and aery heels, as he told me, ha!

Cash.

He could not think you would have stolne his
daughter to ha' set up withal.

Stri.
But now I care not
What the wretch thinks, so he discovers nothing,
I dare trust thee Cash, partly on thy Oath
Which I have ta'ne you know: but more respectively
Upon your fourty pieces here, friend Cash,
Which I have also ta'ne: but most of all
For that I know you dare not make discovery,
For feare of Little-ease. That were a prison
Too fearful for such bravery to stoop into.

Cash.

That keeps me still in awe. 'Tis well you
know it.

But it is better, he has no suspition
That I am run away.

Enter Camelion.
Cam.
The Musick's ready, sir.

Stri.
Play then,—the Tresboun.

Daunce.
Stri.
'Twas very well done, Landlord, I protest
I love your house the better for your quality.

Cam.
But if you saw me at the ducking pond,
Me and my Trull.

Stri.
Your Trull?

Cam.
I mean, my bitch, sir.
O she would ravish you.

Enter Hannah.
Stri.
Some other time.
Here comes your wife. The newes good Landlady?

Han.
Newes out of France, your fame is spread abroad.

Stri.
How out of France?

Han.
Two young French Gentlemen.
New come ashore, the daintiest sweetest Gentlemen
That e're I saw (now you'll be jealous Rafe)

Cam.
Not I.

Han.
Are come to lodge here, having heard
It seems, that you professe French qualities.
And instantly desire to be acquainted
With you and your sweet company.

Stri.
Can they speak English?

Han.
One very well: and the tother can say
Tree Fransh crown for two English kisse already,
Now be jealous Rafe.

Cam.
Pish, Hony soit qui maly pense.

Stri.
You can speak French, Landlord.

Cam.

So much as you have heard, not one word
more.

I assure you but this, Adieu Monsieur and so
I leave you.

Han.
Will you not see the Gallants Rafe?

Cam.
Not I, I wo'nt be jealous Cock, and so!
By the Back-door to the ducking pond, I go.

Ex.
Stri.
Enter then Landlady, where be these Girles?

Han.
Here they are come.

Ex.
Enter Joyce, Gabriella.
Stri.
Stand aside Cash, and be not yet discovered.
Now Ladies, how do y'like your way of living?

Joy.
I do not like it Uncle.

Gab.
Troth, nor I sir.

Joy.

We eat and lodge well; and we weare good
cloathes.

And keep our credit in the house we live in.
But what we suffer in our reputation
Abroad, is dangerously doubtful.

Stri.
So, so.

Gab.
Here we are view'd and review'd by all commers.
Courted and tempted too, and though w'are safe
In our chaste thoughts, the impious world may say,
We are set out to common sale.

Stri.
So, so.

Cash.
And so you are to th' utmost of his power
I dare be sworue;

Joy.
But Uncle, for the time that you intend
To stay, I pray admit no new acquaintance,
Nor any more, lest I for my escape
Venture a leap two stories deep.

Stri.
Ha! you said?
You know I have disclos'd you to no eye
That could take knowledge who or whence you are,
And for the forrein strangers, and such Townsfolks
As knew us not; what need we weigh their thoughts.
Their gold is weight; let that be all we look to.
While our deserving arts and qualities
Require it from 'hem. If they think us wicked,
And hope to get Virginities for salary,
And pay for their deluded hopes before-hand.
What is our act but Justice on their follies,
In taking of their prodigal coine?

Gab.
I hope,
You deal not that way for us.

Stri.
Never fear it.

Joy.
But Uncle, though you have taught us courtly
Gypsie tricks.
That somewhat trench upon our modesties.
Pray let it not be thought we'll sell our honesties.

Stri.
Trust to my care.

Cash.
And thats the way to do it.

Stri.
And in that care be confidently seen,
By a deserving Gentleman, whom I
Present to kisse your hands.

Joy.
I will see none.

Cash.
You need not feare me, Lady; for I can
But tell your father, if you slight his servant.

Gab.
Blesse us! what Metamorphosis is this?
'Tis Cash your fathers man.

Joy.
Is this the habit of a Merchants Prentice?

Cash.
Is this the lodging of a Merchants daughter?

Joy.
Has his great marriage turn'd my fathers house
Into a sumptuous Palace, that he keeps
Such costly men. Or doth the bravery
Of his late beauteous Bride require such gorgeous
Attendants? Pray what office may you fill
About her person.

Cash.
Will you home and see?

Gab.
We are betray'd?

Stri.
Ha, ha, ha. Be not afraid of Cash.
I know him, and he knows us. He is our friend
And we'll be his. As for his bravery
'Tis no new thing with him. I know him of old.
This sute's his worst of foure.
And he's one
Of the foure famous Prentices o'th' time.
None of the Cream and Cake-boyes, nor of those,
That gall their hands with stool-balls, or their Cat-sticks,
For white-pots, pudding-pies, stew'd prunes, and Tansies.
To feast their Titts of Islington or Hogsden.
But haunts the famous Ordinaries o'th' time,
Where the best chear, best game, best company are frequent.
Lords call him Cousin at the Bowling Green; And the great Tennis-Court.
Thy fathers money
Would rust else, Girle. Keep thou our Councel Cash.
And we'll keep thine, though't be to the undoing
Of him and all the wretches of his brotherhood,
That love their money, and their base desires,
Better then blood or name.

Gab.
But can you hold
It good in any servant so to hazard
His Masters livelihood.

Stri.
Can you hold your peace?
He's wise, and saves by't all this while: He knows
His friends are bound in full two thousand pounds,
For's truth, and his true service, and perhaps,
He is not out above one thousand yet,
Where's your wit now?

Cash.

Mystresse, I'le do you service, and be true to
you.

I'd not have mist of this discovery.—

Stri.
You see she hearkens to him. Talk aside Cash.
And touch her boldly.

Cash.
I would not have mist it.
For all the wealth your father has: and at
Convenient privacy. I'le give you reasons,
That shall gaine your belief to't.

Stri.
The French Gallants.
Enter Papillion, Galliard.
I had almost forgot them. They are a paire
Of delicate young Monsieurs. If they have
But crownes enough, they are the likeliest
Merchants for my new Mart that I can choose.
She said they can speak English, that's a help.
For devil of French have I to entertain 'hem.

[Salutes.
Gab.

See mine own heart, here's more temptation
still.

Joy.
I'le not endure the onset.

Cash.
I'le defend you.

Joy.
Yet there are graces in their looks methinks,
That do invite my stay.

Pap.

N' entendes vous, la langue francois Monsieur
dittez.

Stri.
I would be glad to heare you speak the language
I better understand, and that is English.
In which you are most welcome.

Pap.
Your faire courtesie
Merits our greatest thanks.

Gali.
I tanck you, sir.
I have bid Fraunce adieu to come and learn
De English very well; I speak a lietel,
But de English Mesteresse can teach de best.
I shall be glad to take my commencements,
Or my first Lessons from these Ladies lips.

[Salute.
Stri.
A fine forward spark?

Gali.
O sweet, O delicate.
Ladies, if you will breath into me English,
I shall, if you please, put Fransh into you.
Une pour l'antre, dat is one for anoder.

Cash.
So they might make a hot bargain on't.

Joy.
Are these your Civil Gentlemen, Landlady?

Han.
He seems a little waggish: but the other
Is wondrous civil. He comes blushingly.

Pap.
You are before me in the Salutation
Of these faire Ladies, Monsieur Galiard:

Gal.

Il E'vray Monsieur Papilion, I kisse before,
then you mole kisse behind.

But let me pray my tardinesse be excus'd.

[Salute.
Joy.
You pronounce English well sir.

Pap.
I am glad
You like it Lady.

Gab.
I like the others as well.

Pap.
I have before spent many monethes in England:
And my great love unto the Nation,
Especially to the beauties of your Sexe,
Retracts me hither, where my friend was never.
Till now that my perswasion wonne his company;
And happily, I suppose, we are arriv'd:
That, to the sight and knowledge we have had
Of Musick, Daunces, Courtships, and Behaviour.
Through all parts of our Countrey, France, with an
Addition of all Italy affords.
Where (by all best opinions) even the choicest
Of such court qualities, and active graces,
Have had their Spring, we now, as Fame suggests,
Shall in this faire Society, discerne
More then by all our former observation.

Stri.
Report, sir, speaks too loud on our behalfe,
And let me pray ye, that it not beget
Too great an expectation on our weaknesse,
By your too gentle suffrage. What we can,
We'll do.

Gali.
O wee dats de best. Doe is de ting
De Fransh man loves: If all your both two daughters
Shew all; all makes but more desire to do.
Speak I no good English, Madamoiselle?

Joy.
I understand you not.

Gali.
You no understand me,
Because you tinck I lie. But if you lie
With me, I make you understand me presently.

Cash.

This hot-rein'd Monsieur takes 'em for the
same.

Strigood would have 'em be I came in time.

Stri.
At afternoon we'll have an exercise
Of courtship, Gentlemen. In the Interim,
If you will have to stir the appetite,
A dance before our Ordinary we are for you.

Gali.
And we for you Alloun al Egremant Alloun
Monsieur Papillion pour l' honour de France.

Pap.
VVhat are your dances chiefly in request.

Stri.
Good Landlady, bid the Musick be in readinesse.
And then see dinner set upon the table.
Ex. Han.
We have Sir for Corants,—La Miniard,
La Vemimde, Le Marquesse, Le Holland,
La Brittaine, Le Roy, Le Prince, Le Montague,
The Saraband, the Canaries, La Reverree.
For Galliards, the Sellibrand, the Dolphine,
The new Galliard, the Valette Galliard and lepees.

Gali.

'Tis all very good Monsieur Papillica Essontes
Mon Amy.

Cash.

And heark you, Monsieur Strigood, you will
be put to't.

Stri.

I feare no French flashes. Beare up Cash. If we
cannot daunce 'hem of o' their legs, our wenches can,
I warrant thee. Musick be ready.

Gallants, what are you pleased to daunce? Phil. tells what, &c.

After the Daunces, Enter Hannah.
Han.
Gentlemen, your dinner stays meat will be cold.

Fran.

And we are hot, 'tis better that take cold
then we.

But come, one table for us all.

Phil., Stri.
Agreed, agreed, agreed.

Cash.
I say so too.
But to my self reserve what I will do.

Ex. omnes.