Digital Renaissance Editions

About this text

  • Title: The Honest Whore, Part 1 (Quarto 2, 1604)
  • Editor: Joost Daalder
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-490-5

    Copyright Digital Renaissance Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Authors: Thomas Dekker, Thomas Middleton
    Editor: Joost Daalder
    Peer Reviewed

    The Honest Whore, Part 1 (Quarto 2, 1604)

    CVRTIZAN.
    Pio. Tis the puncke bith Lord.
    Duk. Father whats she I pray?
    Ans. As yet I know not,
    2730She came but in this day, talkes little idlely
    And therefore has the freedome of the house,
    Bell. Doe not you know me? nor you? nor you, nor you?
    Omn. No indeede.
    Bell. Then you are an Asse, and you are an Asse, and you
    2735are an Asse, for I know you.
    Ans. Why, what are they? come: tell me what are they?
    Bell. Three fish-wiues: will you buy any gudgeons! gods
    santy yonder come Friers, I know them too, how doe you
    Frier?
    2740Enter Hipolito, Mathaeo, and Infaeliche disguisde
    in the Habets of Friers.
    Ans. Nay, nay, away, you must not trouble Friers.
    The duke is here speake nothing.
    Bell. Nay indeed you shall not goe: weele run at barlibreak
    2745first, and you shalbe in hell.
    Mat. My puncke turnd mad whore, as all her fellowes are?
    Hip. Speake nothing, but steale hence, when you spie time.
    Ans. Ile locke you vp if y'are vnruly fie
    Bell. fie! mary fo: they shall not goe indeed till I ha tolde
    2750em their fortunes.
    Duk. Good Father giue her leaue.
    Bell. I pray, good father, ad Ile giue you my blessing.
    Ans. Wel then be briefe, but if you are thus vnruly,
    Ile haue you lockt vp fast.
    2755Pio. come, to their fortunes.
    Bell. Let me see 1. 2. 3. and 4. ile begin with the little Fri-
    er first, heres a fine hand indeed, I neuer saw Frier haue such
    a dainty hand: heres a hand for a Lady, you ha good fortune (now
    O see, see what a thred heres spun,
    2760You loue a Frier better then a Nun,
    Yet long youle loue no Frier, nor no Friers sonne.
    Bow a little, the line of life is out, yet i'me afraid,
    For all your holy, youle not die a maide, God giue you ioy.
    Now to you Frier Tucke.
    2765Mat, God send me good lucke.
    K 2 Bell.