The Constant Maid (Love Will Find Out the Way) · chunk 15 of 32
Shirley, James · published 1640 · first performed or written 1638 [1630(?)-1640] (Annals) not in BritDrama unassigned nearest T49 Wooing a mistress: suitors, go-betweens · 498 words
Marked words are the most distinguishing words of the nearest topic T49: mistress, gentleman, love, lady, woman, pray, gentlewoman, hear, honest, way.
Nay he has a scence, And shall be of our counsel: Look you Close, There is a plot to help this Gentleman; At night when they're a-bed, and if you went To bed betimes, to avoid suspicion, 'Twere ne'er the worse; I'll say you are not well: D''ee mark? this honest, honest Gentleman shall be Let into Mistress Francis Bedchamber. Without her knowledge? You shall only attend, To give him notice from me when to come, And watch about the house, he may get off Without discovery; this is all. So, so, I sha' not keep the door. I can do that. Let me alone to give you notice who Stirs about house. Away, 'tis Mr. Hartwell; We'll not be seen together. Go your ways, A foolish Knave and Bawd, that do want nothing But carting; I would sooner see that triumph, Than all the Pageants, a day after Simon And Iude, when the fine City goes a feasting. Oh Sir, I have news; yes, they are gone, brave news; Your Gentlewoman can hold out no longer; This night there will be a stratagem: Old Madam Hump a pomp, the Nurse, has promised To admit the Country Gentleman, when all Are a-bed, into her chamber; yes, your Mistress: I'm o'th' plot, to lie Perdue, and give The word, if any Firelock approach The rest; imagine if he have not art to Persuade her to the feat with him, yet there Be tricks, and he may be surprised in the Chamber, And she may be compelled to marry him in Her own defence; there have been such devices. Does he consent? She is betrayed to't, sir. Then thou wilt be so base? And I had meant it, I ne'er had told you this: can you make use Of this intelligence? Thou art my honest servant. I promised to be his. I have it; Canst By any means procure me but his clothes? With ease, he'll go to bed betimes, to avoid Suspicion; that's a part of our design. I could not wish a happy opportunity, To try how she affects this gaudy fool, And clear my faith to her, which her mother's watch Will not permit; she has, I fear, perceived My new familiarity with her mother, Which I am compelled too, and must clear this way: Fail me not, Close, and propound thy own Reward. Tell me your purpose, and let my wit Dispose of him. Prosper me love in this. And you fall to prayers With good love, look about us, I shall suspect You won't thrive; you should go to a wench, As Gentlemen to Oysters, without ceremony Or saying grace; devotion will spoil all. Right as an Arrow coz. Witty engineer; But was she taken with the plot? I was compelled to frame the outside of a reason, Lest our own mirth should play the Traitor with us, Her spleen was so dilated, he believed I have made her mad, which change makes for us.
seed 43: unassigned · seed 44: unassigned — topic numbers are assigned independently in each run; equal or different numbers say nothing by themselves
Original spelling (EEBO-TCP, unregularized)
Nay he has a scence, And shall be of our counsell: Look you Close, There is a plot to helpe this Gentleman; At night when they're a bed, and if you went To bed betimes, to avoid suspicion, 'Twere nere the worse; I'll say you are not well: D'ee marke? this honest, honest Gentleman shall be Let into Mistris Francis Bed-chamber. Without her knowledge? You shall only attend, To give him notice from me when to come, And watch about the house, he may get off Without discovery; this is all. So, so, I sha' not keep the doore. I can do that. Let me alone to give you notice who Stirs about house. Away, 'tis Mr. Hartwell; We'll not be seen together. Go your wayes, A foolish Knave and Bawd, that do want nothing But carting; I would sooner see that triumph, Than all the Pageans, a day after Symon And Iude, when the fine City goes a feasting. Oh Sir, I have newes; yes, they are gone, brave newes; Your Gentlewoman can hold out no longer; This night there will be a stratagem: Old Madam Humpe a pompe, the Nurse, has promis'd To admit the Countrey Gentleman, when all Are a bed, into her chamber; yes, your Mistris: I'm o'th' plot, to lye Perdue, and give The word, if any Fire-lock approach The rest; imagine if he have not art to Perswade her to the feat with him, yet there Be tricks, and he may be surprized in the Chamber, And she may be compell'd to marry him in Her owne defence; there have been such devises. Does he consent? She is betraid to't, sir. Then thou wo't be so base? And I had meant it, I nere had told you this: can you make use Of this intelligence? Thou art my honest servant. I promis'd to be his. I have it; Canst By any meanes procure me but his clothes? With ease, he'll go to bed betimes, to avoid Suspicion; that's a part of our designe. I could not wish a happy opportunity, To try how she affects this gaudy foole, And clear my faith to her, which her mothers watch Will not permit; she has, I feare, perceiv'd My new familiarity with her mother, Which I am compell'd too, and must cleer this way: Faile me not, Close, and propound thy owne Reward. Tell me your purpose, and let my wit Dispose of him. Prosper me love in this. And you fall to prayers With good love, look about us, I shall suspect You wo'not thrive; you should go to a wench, As Gentlemen to Oysters, without ceremony Or saying grace; devotion will spoile all. Right as an Arrow Couze. Witty enginere; But was she taken with the plot? I was compell'd to frame the outside of a reason, Lest our owne mirth should play the Traytor with us, Her spleene was so dilated, he beleeved I have made her mad, which change makes for us.