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- Edition: The Honest Whore, Part 1
The Honest Whore, Part 1 (Modern)
- Introduction
- The Honest Whore, Parts 1 and 2: Acknowledgements
- The Honest Whore, Parts 1 and 2: Abbreviations
- The Honest Whore, Parts 1 and 2: Introduction
- The Honest Whore, Parts 1 and 2: Analysis of the Plays
- The Honest Whore, Parts 1 and 2: The Plays in Performance
- The Honest Whore, Parts 1 and 2: Textual Introduction
- The Honest Whore, Parts 1 and 2: Appendices
- Texts of this edition
- Facsimiles
2292.1[5.1]
O, watch, good George, watch which way the Duke comes.
Here comes one of the butterflies; ask him.
[To Pioratto] Pray, sir, comes the Duke this way?
Heʼs upon coming, mistress.
5.1.4.1Exit.
I thank you, sir. – George, are there many mad folks 2300where thy master lies?
O yes, of all countries some; but especially mad Greeks, 2302they swarm. Troth, mistress, the world is altered with you; 2303you had not wont to stand thus with a paper humbly 2304complaining. But youʼre well enough served; provender pricked 2305you, as it does many of our city wives besides.
Dost think, George, we shall get him forth?
Truly, mistress, I cannot tell; I think youʼll hardly get him 2308forth. Why, ʼtis strange. ʼSfoot, I have known many women that 2309have had mad rascals to their husbands, whom they would 2310belabour by all means possible to keep ʼem in their right wits. 2311But of a woman to long to turn a tame man into a madman – 2312why, the devil himself was never used so by his dam.
How does he talk, George? Ha, good George, tell me!
Why, youʼre best go see.
Alas, I am afraid.
Afraid? You had more need be ashamed! He may 2317rather be afraid of you.
But, George, heʼs not stark mad, is he? He does not 2319rave; heʼs not horn-mad, George, is he?
Nay, I know not that; but he talks like a Justice of 2321Peace, of a thousand matters, and to no purpose.
Iʼll to the monastery. I shall be mad till I enjoy him; 2323I shall be sick till I see him; yet when I do see him I shall 2324weep out mine eyes.
Ay, Iʼd fain see a woman weep out her eyes. Thatʼs as 2326true as to say a manʼs cloak burns when it hangs in the 2327water. I know youʼll weep, mistress; but what says the 2328painted cloth?
5.1.17Trust not a woman when she cries,
Ay, but, George, that painted cloth is worthy to be 2333hanged up for lying. All women have not tears at will unless 2334they have good cause.
Ay, but, mistress, how easily will they find a cause? And 2336as one of our cheese-trenchers says very learnedly:
Tame, George; but I haʼ done storming now.
Why, thatʼs well done. Good mistress, throw aside this 2345fashion of your humour; be not so fantastical in wearing it. 2346Storm no more, long no more. This longing has made you 2347come short of many a good thing that you might have had 2348from my master. Here comes the Duke.
O, I beseech you, pardon my offence
Who is her husband?
2354Fluello
Candido, my lord.
5.1.35Duke
Where is he?
2355Viola
Heʼs among the lunatics.
Duke
Did you so?
2362Viola
And for that purpose
You have longed fair. ʼTis you are mad, I fear;
An please your Grace, heʼs not stark mad, but 2370only talks like a young gentleman – somewhat fantastically, 2371thatʼs all. Thereʼs a thousand about your court, city, and 2372country madder than he.
Provide a warrant; you shall have our hand.
[Indicating Violaʼs paper] Hereʼs a warrant ready drawn, my lord.
Get pen and ink; get pen and ink.
5.1.51.1[Exit George.]
5.1.51.2Enter Castruccio.
Where is my lord the Duke?
2377Duke
How now? More madmen?
I have strange news, my lord.
2379Duke
Of what? Of whom?
Of Infelice, and a marriage.
Ha! Where? With whom?
2382Castruccio
Hippolito.
5.1.55.1[Enter George with pen and ink.]
George
[To the Duke] Here, my lord.
Hence with that woman! Void the room!
Away; the Dukeʼs vexed.
[Aside to Viola] Whoop! Come, mistress – the Dukeʼs mad too.
5.1.58.1Exeunt [Viola and George].
Who told me that Hippolito was dead?
He that can make any man dead, the doctor. But, 2388my lord, heʼs as full of life as wildfire, and as quick. 2389Hippolito, the doctor, and one more rid hence this evening. The 2390inn at which they ʼlight is Bethlem Monastery. Infelice 2391comes from Bergamo and meets them there. Hippolito is 2392mad, for he means this day to be married; the afternoon is 2393the hour, and Friar Anselmo is the knitter.
From Bergamo? Isʼt possible? It cannot be,
2396Castruccio
I will not swear, my lord,
2399Duke
Whatʼs he?
Castruccio
Mattheo.
Mattheo knows all.
Pioratto
Heʼs Hippolitoʼs bosom.
How far stands Bethlem hence?
2402All
Six or seven miles.
Isʼt even so?
5.1.68Not married till the afternoon, you say?
5.1.80.1Exeunt [all but Fluello].
‘Be secret, on your livesʼ! Castruccio,
5.1.84.1Exit.