Digital Renaissance Editions

About this text

  • Title: The Honest Whore, Part 2 (Quarto 1, 1630)
  • 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.
    Author: Thomas Dekker
    Editor: Joost Daalder
    Not Peer Reviewed

    The Honest Whore, Part 2 (Quarto 1, 1630)

    The Honest Whore.
    She (crown'd with reuerend praises) passed by them,
    I (tho with face maskt) could not scape the hem,
    For (as if Heauen had set strange markes on Whores,
    2030Because they should be pointing stocks to man)
    Drest vp in ciuilest shape a Curtizan.
    Let her walke Saint-like, notelesse, and vnknowne,
    Yet she's betraid by some tricke of her owne.
    Were Harlots therefore wise, they'd be sold deare:
    2035For men account them good but for one yeere:
    And then like Almanackes (whose dates are gone)
    They are throwne by, and no more lookt vpon.
    Who'le therefore backward fall, who will lanch forth
    In Seas so foule, for ventures no more worth?
    2040Lusts voiage hath (if not this course) this crosse,
    Buy ne'r so cheape, your Ware comes home with losse.
    What, shall I sound retreat? the battaile's done:
    Let the world iudge which of vs two haue won.
    Hip. I!
    2045Bel. You? nay then as cowards doe in fight,
    What by blowes cannot, shall be saued by flight. Exit.
    Hip. Flie to earths fixed Center: to the Caues
    Of euerlasting horror, Ile pursue thee,
    (Tho loaden with sinnes) euen to Hells brazen doores.
    2050Thus wisest men turne fooles, doting on whores. Exit.

    Enter the Duke, Lodouico, and Orlando: after them Infaelice.
    Carolo, Astolfo, Beraldo, Fontinell.
    Orl. I beseech your Grace (tho your eye be so piercing) as
    vnder a poore blue Coate, to cull out an honest Father from
    2055an old Seruingman: yet good my Lord discouer not the plot
    to any, but onely this Gentleman that is now to be an
    Actor in our ensuing Comedy.
    Duke. Thou hast thy wish, Orlando, passe vnknowne,
    Sforsa shall onely goe along with thee,
    2060To see that Warrant serued vpon thy Sonne.
    Lod. To attach him vpon fellony, for 2. Pedlers: is't not so?
    H 2 Orl.