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- Edition: Pericles
Pericles, Prince of Tyre (Modern)
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Well, I had rather than twice the worth of her 1788she had ne'er come here.
Fie, fie upon her! She's able to freeze the god 1790Priapus and undo a whole generation. We must either get 1791her ravished or be rid of her. When she should do for cli1792ents her fitment, and do me the kindness of our 1793profession, she has me her quirks, her reasons, her master 1794reasons, her prayers, her knees, that she would make a puri1795tan of the devil, if he should cheapen a kiss of her.
Faith, I must ravish her, or she'll disfurnish us 1797of all our cavalleria and make our swearers priests.
Now, the pox upon her greensickness for me.
Faith, there's no way to be rid on't but by the 1800way to the pox.
We should have both lord and loon, if the 1802peevish baggage would but give way to customers.
How now? How a dozen of virginities?
Now the gods to bless your honor!
I am glad to see your honor in good health.
You may so. 'Tis the better for you that your re1808sorters stand upon sound legs. How now? Wholesome 1809iniquity have you, that a man may deal withal and defy1810 the surgeon?
We have here one, sir, if she would -- But1812there never came her like in Metalin!
If she'd do the deeds of darkness, thou wouldst say.
Your honor knows what 'tis to say, well enough.
Well, call forth, call forth.[Exit Pander.]
For flesh and blood, sir, white and red, you shall 1817see a rose, and she were a rose indeed, if she had but --
What, prithee?
Oh, sir, I can be modest.
That dignifies the renown of a bawd no less 1821than it gives a good report to a number to be chaste.
Here comes that which grows to the stalk. 1823Never plucked yet I can assure you. 1824Is she not a fair creature?
Faith, she would serve after a long voyage at sea. 1826Well, there's for you. [He gives the Bawd money.] Leave us.
I beseech your honor: give me leave a word 1828and I'll have done presently.
I beseech you, do.
[Taking Marina aside] First, I would have you note: this is an hono1831rable man.
I desire to find him so, that I may worthily note him.
Next: he's the governor of this country, and 1834a man whom I am bound to.
If he govern the country, you are bound to him 1836indeed, but how honorable he is in that, I know not.
Pray you -- without any more virginal fencing: 1838will you use him kindly? He will line your apron with gold.
What he will do graciously, I will thankfully 1840receive.
Ha'you done?
My lord, she's not paced yet; you must take 1843some pains to work her to your manage. [To Pander] Come, we will 1844leave his honor and her together. [To Bolt?]Go thy ways!
4.6.31.1[Exeunt Pander, Bawd and Bolt.]
Now, pretty one, how long have you been at this trade?
What trade, sir?
Why, I cannot name't but I shall offend.
I cannot be offended with my trade. Please you to name it.
How long have you been of this profession?
E'er since I can remember.
Did you go to't so young? Were you a gamester 1852at five, or at seven?
Earlier too, sir, if now I be one.
Why, the house you dwell in proclaims you to 1855be a creature of sale.
Do you know this house to be a place of such 1857resort, and will come into't? I hear say you're of hono1858rable parts and are the governor of this place.
Why, hath your principal made known unto1860you who I am?
Who is my principal?
Why, your herb-woman, she that sets seeds and 1863roots of shame and iniquity. 1864Oh, you have heard something of my power, and so 1865stand aloof for more serious wooing. But I protest to thee,1866pretty one, my authority shall not see thee, or else look 1867friendly upon thee. Come, bring me to some private place. 1868Come, come. [He begins to force her offstage.]
If you were born to honor, show it now;
How's this? how's this? Some more. Be sage.
1873Marina
For me
4.6.50Have placed me in this sty, where, since I came,
I did not think thou couldst have spoke so well.
4.6.59Persever in that clear way thou goest,
The good gods preserve you!
For me, be you thoughten
4.6.64The very doors and windows savor vilely.
4.6.68A curse upon him, die he like a thief
4.6.70.1[Lysimachus starts to leave and meets Bolt in the doorway.]
I beseech your honor, one piece for me!
Avaunt, thou damned door-keeper!
4.6.74.1[Exit.]
[Coming forward, to Marina] How's this? We must take another course with 1897you. If your peevish chastity, which is not worth a break1898fast in the cheapest country under the cope, shall undo a 1899whole household, let me be gelded like a spaniel. Come your ways!
Whither would you have me?
I must have your maidenhead taken off, or the 1902common hangman shall execute it. Come your ways! We'll have 1903no more gentlemen driven away. Come your ways, I say! [He starts to drag her off.]
How now? What's the matter?
Worse and worse, mistress! She has here spoken 1907holy words to the Lord Lysimachus.
Oh, abominable!
She makes our profession as it were to stink a1910fore the face of the gods.
Marry, hang her up for ever!
The nobleman would have dealt with her like 1913a nobleman, and she sent him away as cold as a snow1914ball. Saying his prayers too!
Bolt, take her away. Use her at thy pleasure. Crack 1916the glass of her virginity, and make the rest malleable.
An if she were a thornier piece of ground 1918than she is, she shall be plowed.
Hark, hark, you gods!
She conjures! Away with her! Would she had ne1921ver come within my doors. [To Marina] Marry, hang you! [To Pander and Bolt] She's born 1922to undo us. [To Marina] Will you not go the way of womenkind? 1923Marry, come up, my dish of chastity with rosemary & bays.
4.6.87.1[Exeunt Pander and Bawd.]
Come, mistress! Come your way with me.
Whither wilt thou have me ?
To take from you the jewel you hold so dear.
Prithee, tell me one thing first.
Come now, your one thing.
What canst thou wish thine enemy to be?
Why, I could wish him to be my master, or ra1931ther my mistress.
Neither of these are so bad as thou art,
Thou art the damnèd door-keeper to every
4.6.102Thy ear is liable. Thy food is such
What would you have me do? Go to the wars, would you? 1940Where a man may serve seven years for the loss of a leg and have 1941not money enough in the end to buy him a wooden one?
Do anything but this thou dost. Empty
4.6.110Would own a name too dear. Oh, that the gods
4.6.112Here; here's gold for thee.
4.6.112.1[She gives him the gold.]
4.6.116And I will undertake all these to teach.
4.6.118Yield many scholars.
But can you teach all this you speak of?
Prove that I cannot, take me home again
Well, I will see what I can do for thee. If I can 1957place thee, I will.
But amongst honest women.
Faith, my acquaintance lies little amongst them. 1960But since my master and mistress hath bought you, there's 1961no going but by their consent. Therefore, I will make them 1962acquainted with your purpose, and I doubt not but I shall 1963find them tractable enough. Come, I'll do for thee what 1964I can. Come your ways.
4.6.125.1Exeunt.