THE LADY OF PLEASURE. A COMEDY. BY JANES SHIRLEY. Sir Thomas Bornewell expostulates with his lady on her extravagance and love of pleasure. BORNEWELL. ARETINA, his lady. Are. I am angry with myself; To be so miserably restrain'd in things, Bor. In what, Aretina, Dost thou accuse me? have I not obey'd Born. I am not ignorant how much nobility Madam, to give the dignity of your birth All the best ornaments which become my fortune; Are. Am I then Brought in the balance? so, sir. I i Bor. Bor. Though you weigh Me in a partial scale, my heart is honest: Nay study ways of pride and costly ceremony; Four score pound suppers for my lord your kinsman, More motly than the French, or the Venetian, Must pester every narrow lane, till passengers And tradesmen curse your choaking up their stalls, For hind'ring of their market. Are, Have you done, sir? Bor. I could accuse the gaity of your wardrobe, And prodigal embroideries, under which, Rich satins, plushes, cloth of silver, dare And shew like bonfires on you by the tapers: Are. Pray, do. I like Your homily of thrift. Bor. I could wish, madam, You would not game so much. Bor. But are not come to that repentance yet, You You look not through the subtilty of cards, Are. Good, proceed. Bor. Another game you have, which consumes more Some darks had been discover'd; and the deeds too; Are. Have you concluded Your lecture? Bor. I have done; and howsoever My language may appear to you, it carries To your delights, without curb to their modest Are. I'll not be so tedious In my reply, but, without art or elegance, With handsome names of modesty and thrift, To have my pleasures circumscrib'd and taught me.117 117 This dialogue is in the very spirit of the recriminating scenes between Lord and Lady Townley in the Provoked Husband. It is difficult to believe, but it must have been Vanbrugh's prototype. THE END. J. M'CREERY, Printer, |