Bartholmew fayre : a comedie, acted in the yeare, 1614 by the Lady Elizabeths seruants, and then dedicated to King Iames, of most blessed memorie ; The diuell is an asse : a comedie acted in the yeare, 1616, by His Maiesties seruants ; The staple of newes : a comedie acted in the yeare, 1625, by His Maiesties seruants by the author, Beniamin Iohnson.
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Title
Bartholmew fayre : a comedie, acted in the yeare, 1614 by the Lady Elizabeths seruants, and then dedicated to King Iames, of most blessed memorie ; The diuell is an asse : a comedie acted in the yeare, 1616, by His Maiesties seruants ; The staple of newes : a comedie acted in the yeare, 1625, by His Maiesties seruants by the author, Beniamin Iohnson.
Author
Jonson, Ben, 1573?-1637.
Publication
London :: Printed by I.B. for Robert Allot, and are to be sold at the signe of the Beare, in Pauls Church-yard,
1631.
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Cite this Item
"Bartholmew fayre : a comedie, acted in the yeare, 1614 by the Lady Elizabeths seruants, and then dedicated to King Iames, of most blessed memorie ; The diuell is an asse : a comedie acted in the yeare, 1616, by His Maiesties seruants ; The staple of newes : a comedie acted in the yeare, 1625, by His Maiesties seruants by the author, Beniamin Iohnson." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A04633.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 1, 2024.
Pages
ACT. IIJ. SCENE. V.
MERE-CRAFT. FITZ-DOTTREL. PVG.
REturn'd so soone?
FIT.
Yes, here's the ring: I ha'seal'd.But there's not so much gold in all the row, he saies—Till'•• come fro' the Mint. 'Tis tane vp for the gamesters.
MER.
There's a shop-shift! plague on'hem.
FIT.
He do's sweare it.
MER.
He'll sweare, and forsweare too, it is his trade,You should not haue left him.
FIT.
S'lid, I can goe backe,And beat him, yet.
MER.
No, now let him alone.
FIT.
I was so earnest, after the maine Businesse,To haue this ring, gone.
MER.
True, and 'tis time.I haue learn'd, Sir, sin' you went, her Ladi••ship••atsWith the Lady Tail bush, here, hard by.
FIT.
I'the lane here?
MER.
Yes, if you' had a seruant, now of presence,Well cloth'd, and of an aë••y voluble tongue,Neither too bigge, or little for his mouth,That could deliuer your wiues complement;To send along withall.
FIT.
I haue one Sir,A very handsome, gentleman-like-fellow,That I doe meane to make my Dutchesse Vsher—I entertain'd him, but this morning, too:I'll call him to you. The worst of him, is his name!
descriptionPage 139
MER.
She'll take no note of that, but of his message.
Hee shewes him his Pug.
FIT.
Diuell! How like you him, Sir. Pace, go a little.Let's see you moue.
MER.
He'll serue, Sr, giue it him:And let him goe along with mee, I'll helpeTo present him, and it.
FIT.
Looke, you doe sirah,Discharge this well, as you expect your place.Do'you heare, goe on, come off with all your honours.I would faine see him, do it.
MER.
Trust him, with it;
Giues him instructions.
FIT.
Remember kissing of your hand, and answeringWith the French-time, in flexure of your body.I could now▪ so instruct him— and for his words—
MER.
I'll put them in his mouth.
FIT.
O, but I haue 'hemO'the very Academies.
MER.
Sir, you'll haue vse for 'hem,Anon, your selfe, I warrant you: after dinner,When you are call'd.
FIT.
S'light, that'll be iust play-time.
It cannot be, I must not lose the play!
MER.
Sir, but you must, if she appoint to sit.And, shee's president.
FIT.
S'lid, it is the Diuell!
MER.
And, 'twere his Damme too, you must now applyYour selfe, Sir, to this, wholly; or lose all.
FIT.
If I could but see a piece—
MER.
Sr. Neuer think on't.
FIT.
Come but to one act, and I did not care—But to be seene to rise, and goe away,To vex the Players, and to punish their Poet—K••epe him in awe!
MER.
But say, that he be one,Wi'not be aw'd! but laugh at you. How then?
FIT.
Then he shall pay for 'his dinner himselfe.
MER.
Perhaps,He would doe that twice, rather then thanke you.Come, get the Diuell out of your head, my Lord,(I'll call you so in priuate still) and takeYour Lord ship i'your minde. You were, sweete Lord,In ta••ke to bring a Businesse to the Office.
FIT.
Yes.
MER.
Why should no•• you, Sr, carry it o'your selfe,Before the Office be vp? and shew the world,You had no need of any mans direction;In point, Sir, of sufficiency. I speakeAgainst a kinsman, but as one that tendersYour graces good.
FIT.
I thanke you; to proceed—
MER.
To Publications: ha▪ your Deed drawne presently.And leaue a blancke to put in your Feoff••esOne, two, or more, as you see cause—
FIT.
I thank youHeartily, I doe thanke you. Not a word more,I pray you, as you loue mee. Let mee alone.That I could not thinke o'this, as well, as hee?
O, I could beat my infinite blocke-head—!
MER.
Come, we must this way.
PVG.
How far is't.
MER.
Hard by hereOuer the way. Now, to atchieue this ring,
descriptionPage 140
From this same fellow, that is to assure it;Before hee giue it. Though my Spanish Lady,Be a young Gentleman of meanes, and scorneTo share, as hee doth say, I doe not knowHow such a toy may tempt his Lady-ship:And therefore, I thinke best, it be assur'd.
PVG.
Sir, be the Ladies braue, wee goe vnto?
MER.
O, yes.
PVG.
And shall I see 'hem, and speake to 'hem?
MER.
What else? ha'you your false-beard about you? Traines.