Epicoene; Or, The Silent Woman - BestLightNovel.com
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CLER: Like a surgeon!
LA-F: For the mathematics: his square, his compa.s.ses, his bra.s.s pens, and black-lead, to draw maps of every place and person where he comes.
CLER: How, maps of persons!
LA-F: Yes, sir, of Nomentack when he was here, and of the Prince of Moldavia, and of his mistress, mistress Epicoene.
[RE-ENTER DAW.]
CLER: Away! he hath not found out her lat.i.tude, I hope.
LA-F: You are a pleasant gentleman, sir.
CLER: Faith, now we are in private, let's wanton it a little, and talk waggishly.--Sir John, I am telling sir Amorous here, that you two govern the ladies wherever you come; you carry the feminine gender afore you.
DAW: They shall rather carry us afore them, if they will, sir.
CLER: Nay, I believe that they do, withal--but that you are the prime men in their affections, and direct all their actions--
DAW: Not I: sir Amorous is.
LA-F: I protest, sir John is.
DAW: As I hope to rise in the state, sir Amorous, you have the person.
LA-F: Sir John, you have the person, and the discourse too.
DAW: Not I, sir. I have no discourse--and then you have activity beside.
LA-F: I protest, sir John, you come as high from Tripoly as I do, every whit: and lift as many join'd stools, and leap over them, if you would use it.
CLER: Well, agree on't together knights; for between you, you divide the kingdom or commonwealth of ladies' affections: I see it, and can perceive a little how they observe you, and fear you, indeed. You could tell strange stories, my masters, if you would, I know.
DAW: Faith, we have seen somewhat, sir.
LA-F: That we have--velvet petticoats, and wrought smocks, or so.
DAW: Ay, and--
CLER: Nay, out with it, sir John: do not envy your friend the pleasure of hearing, when you have had the delight of tasting.
DAW: Why--a--do you speak, sir Amorous.
LA-F: No, do you, sir John Daw.
DAW: I'faith, you shall.
LA-F: I'faith, you shall.
DAW: Why, we have been--
LA-F: In the great bed at Ware together in our time. On, sir John.
DAW: Nay, do you, sir Amorous.
CLER: And these ladies with you, knights?
LA-F: No, excuse us, sir.
DAW: We must not wound reputation.
LA-F: No matter--they were these, or others. Our bath cost us fifteen pound when we came home.
CLER: Do you hear, sir John? You shall tell me but one thing truly, as you love me.
DAW: If I can, I will, sir.
CLER: You lay in the same house with the bride, here?
DAW: Yes, and conversed with her hourly, sir.
CLER: And what humour is she of? Is she coming, and open, free?
DAW: O, exceeding open, sir. I was her servant, and sir Amorous was to be.
CLER: Come, you have both had favours from her: I know, and have heard so much.
DAW: O no, sir.
LA-F: You shall excuse us, sir: we must not wound reputation.
CLER: Tut, she is married now, and you cannot hurt her with any report; and therefore speak plainly: how many times, i'faith?
which of you led first? ha!
LA-F: Sir John had her maidenhead, indeed.
DAW: O, it pleases him to say so, sir, but sir Amorous knows what is what, as well.
CLER: Dost thou i'faith, Amorous?
LA-F: In a manner, sir.
CLER: Why, I commend you lads. Little knows don Bridegroom of this. Nor shall he, for me.
DAW: Hang him, mad ox!
CLER: Speak softly: here comes his nephew, with the lady Haughty.
He'll get the ladies from you, sirs, if you look not to him in time.
