DORCAS

Surely you may, and ayre'em too, there have been Very devout and holy women that wore No shift at all. Surely yes, Clean linen in a Surplesse; That and powders Do bring dry summer's, make the sickness rage, And the Enemy prevail, It was revealed To M S Scruple and her husband, who Do verily ascribe the Germane war, And the late persecutions, to curling, False Teeth, and Oil of Talck. And surely, as Master Scruple says, And proves it very well Out of a book that suffered Martyrdom By fire in Cheapside, since Amulets, and Bracelets, And Lovelocks were in use, the price of sprats, Jerusalem Artichokes, and Holland Cheese, Is very much increased, so that the Brothers, Butchers I mean, and such poor zealous Saints, As earn five groats a week under a stall, By singing Psalms, and drawing up of holes, Can't live in their vocation, but are feign To turn— Surely, Teachers and Prophets. Surely, Sir, You promised me when you did take my money To help me to a faithful service, a Lady That would be saved. Not one that loves profane, Unsanctified fashions. The motion sure is good And I will ponder of it. Madam the Preacher Is sent for to a Churching, and does ask If you be ready, he shall lose, he says, His Chrysome else. Pray Madam do not Abuse me; J will tell you more anon. Faith I admire your temperance to let Ex. Time. Pl. & Footman. Your Bridegroom go to bed and you not follow. Were J in your case J should would gone first, And warmed his place. Faith I have told you all, Both why I left my Schoolmistress, who taught me To confute Curling-Irons, and why I put My self on this adventure. My Lady Keeps no poor Nuns that sin for victuals, for you, With whom this dead vacation you may trade For old silk stockings and half shirts. They say You do offend oth' score, and sin in chalk, And the dumb walls complain you are behind Jn pension; so that your distressed Vestals, Are feign to foot their stockings, pay the Brewer, And Land-Lords-rent in womankind, and long More earnestly for the Term then Norfolk Lawyers. Madam, heres Barneswright And and old Merchant do desire access. Enter Dorcas. Madam, but that I should offend against Your care as well as my preferment, J de Have more experience of the Man, J mean To make my husband. At first sighed to marry, Must argue me of lightness. But You look for some great portion, Sir. But, Sir,it may be You'll be against my course of life. J love Retirement, must have times for my Devotion, Am little used to company, and hate The vanity of visits. Then J shall never trust you To go to sea, and leave me; I shall dream Of nought but storms, and Pirates. Every wind Will break my sleep. Sir, there Is one thing more; J hear you have a Nephew, You mean to make your Heir. I hope you will Settle some Jointure on me. Forbear, Sir. Yes, unless A sweeter air came from you; you have turned my stomach. I wonder you can be so rude to ask me, Knowing your Lungs are perished. I shall never Endure your Conversation; I hope you have Contrived two Beds, two Chambers, and two Tables ; It is and Article that I should live, Retired, that is, a partly. D'you think Jle jest with age? Did ever Man Of your hairs ask such questions? J do blush At your unreasonableness. Is't fit J should be buried? Why to lie with you were a direct Emblem Of going to my grave. I'll have your picture set in my wedding ring For a Death's head. I'de Rather lie with and ancient Tomb, or embrace And Ancestor then you. D'you think I'll come Between your winding sheets? For what? to hear you Depart all night, and fetch your last groan? and Ith' morning find a Deluge on the floor, Your Entrails floating, and half my husband spit Upon the Arras? Then, For your abilities, should twelve good women Fit on these reverend locks, and on your heat, And natural appetite, they would just find you As youthful as a Coffin, and as hight As the sultry winter that froze over the Thames; They say the hard time did begin from you. Your humours come frost from you, and your nose Hath icicles in June. Would, would, would. That your experienced ache, that hath felt springs And falls this forty year, should be so dull To think J have not them that shall supply Your cold defects. Do you think A woman young, high in her blood—. Apt to take flame at Tvery temptation— Would wed dust, ashes, A Monument, unless she were— Right, Sir, or lacked a Cloak? Not so well lined. Yes, Sir, Beside Your age being impotent, you would I knew In conscience wink at my stolen helps, if I Took comfort from abroad. I will have friends come to me So you'll conceal. I'll have a woman shall do that. Then, Sir, I'll look Your Coffers shall maintain me at my rate. Why Like a Lady; for I do mean To have you Knighted. D'you think I'll have your Factor move before me, Like a Device stirred by a wier, or Like Some grave Clock wound up to a regular pace? I do expect it; yes, Sir, and my Coach, Six horses, and Postilion ; four are fit For them that have a charge of Children; you And I shall never have any. Then Jle have My Footman to run by me when I visit, Or take the air sometime in Hide-park. You're pleasant, Sir. You? no; Is't fit I should be seen at Court with you? Such and odd sighed as you, would make the Ladies Have melancholy thoughts. Not if you stayed Above a year; for should I, in a long voyage, Prove fruitful, I should want a father to The Infant. Pray, Sir, vex, I'll in, and see your Jewels, and make choice Of some for every day, and some to wear Exit. At Masques. HE would not offer't would he? I mar'le, Sir, who did licence you to pry, Or spy out any friends that come to me; It shows and unbred Curiosity; Which J'le correct hereafter, you will dare To break up Letters shortly, and examine My Taylor, least when he brings home my gown There be a Man in't. J'le have whom I list, In what disguise I list, and when I list, And not have your four eyes so saucy, to peep, As if you by prevention meant to kill A Basilisk. Let me alone; never was man so fitted Enter Footman. With a chased Bride, as I will fit his Uncle. Exit. On these terms Where is your Priest, Sir?