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  • Title: The Honest Whore, Part 1 (Quarto 1, 1604)
  • Editor: Joost Daalder
  • Contributing editor: Brett Greatley-Hirsch
  • Coordinating editor: Brett Greatley-Hirsch
  • General textual editor: Eleanor Lowe
  • 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 1, 1604)

    THE HONEST WHORE.
    And to my face to play the Anticke thus:
    1285If youle needs play the madman, choose a stage
    Of lesser compasse, where few eyes may note
    Your actions errour; but if still you misse,
    As heere you doe, for one clap, ten will hisse.
    Fust. Zwounds Cozen, he talks to me, as if I were a scur-
    1290uy Tragedian.
    2. pren. Sirra George, I ha thought vpon a deuice, how to
    breake his pate, beat him soundly, and ship him away.
    Geor. Doo't. 2. Pre. Ile go in, passe thorow the house,
    giue some of our fellow Prentices the watch-word when
    1295they shal enter, then come & fetch my master in by a wile,
    and place one in the hall to hold him in conference, whilst
    we cudgell the Gull out of his coxcombe.
    Geor. Doo't: away, doo't.
    Wife. Must I call twice for these Cambricks & lawnes?
    1300Cand. Nay see, you anger her, George, prithee dispatch.
    2. pr. Two of the choisest pieces are in the warehouse sir.
    Cand. Go fetch them presently. Exit 1. prentice.
    Fust. I, do, make haste, sirra.
    Cand. Why were you such a stranger all this while,
    1305being my wiues Cozen?
    Fust. Stranger? no sir, I me a naturall Millaner borne.
    Can. I perceyue still it is your naturall guize to mistake
    me, but you are welcom sir, I much wish your acquaintāce.
    Fust. My acquaintance? I scorne that ifayth; I hope my
    1310acquaintance goes in chaines of gold three and fifty times
    double: you know who I meane, Coz, the posts of his gate
    are a paynting to. Enter the 2. Prentice.
    2. Pren. Signior Pandulfo the Marchāt desires conference
    with you. Can. Signior Pandulfo? Ile be with him straight.
    1315Attend your mistris and the Gentleman. Exit.
    Wife. When do you shew those pieces?
    Fust. I, when doe you shew those pieces?
    Omn. Presently sir, presently, we are but charging thē.
    Fust. Come sirra, you Flat-cap, where be these whites?
    Geo. Flat-cap? heark in your eare sir, yare a flat foole, an
    1320Asse, a gull, & Ile thrum you: do you see this cambrick sir?
    E 3 Fust. Sfoot,