Digital Renaissance Editions

Toolbox




Jump to line
Help on texts

About this text

  • 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.
    Geo. O yes, of all countries some, but especially mad greekes
    they swarme: troth mistris, the world is altered with you,
    you had not wont to stand thus with a paper humblie com-
    plaining: but you're well enough seru'd: prouander prickt
    2305you, as it does many of our Cittie-wiues besides.
    Wif. Doest thinke George we shall get him forth.
    Ge. Truly mistris I cannot tel, I thinke youle hardly get him
    forth: why tis strange! Sfoot I haue known many womē that
    haue had mad rascals to their husbāds, whom they would be-
    2310labour by all meanes possible to keepe em in their right wits,
    but of a woman to long to turne a tame mā into a madman,
    why the diuell himselfe was neuer vsde so by his dam.
    Wif. How does he talke George! ha! good George tell me.
    Geo. Why youre best go see.
    2315Wif. Alas I am afraid.
    Geo. Afraid! you had more need be ashamd: he may ra-
    ther be afraid of you.
    Wif. But George hees not starke mad, is hee? hee does not
    raue, hees not horne-mad George is he?
    2320Geo. Nay I know not that, but he talkes like a Iustice of
    peace, of a thousand matters and to no purpose.
    Wif. Ile to the monastery: I shall be mad till I inioy him,
    I shalbe sick till I see him, yet when I doe see him, I shall
    weepe out mine eyes.
    2325Geo. I, ide faine see a woman weepe out her eyes; thats as
    true, as to say, a mans cloake burnes; when it hangs in the
    water: I know youle weepe mistrisse, but what saies the pain-
    ted cloth. Trust not a woman when she cryes,
    For sheele pump water from her eyes,
    2330 With a wet finger, and in faster showers,
    Then Aprill when he raines downe flowers.
    Wif. I but George, that painted cloath is worthy to be
    hangd vp for lying, all women haue not teares at will, vnlesse
    they haue good cause.
    2335Geo. I but mistrisse how easily will they find a cause, and as
    one of our Cheese-trenchers sayes very learnedly:
    As out of Wormwood Bees suck Hony,
    As from poore clients Lawyers firke mony,
    As