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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)

    SCENA 7.
    1225Enter Candido, his wife, George, and two Prentices in the
    shop: Fustigo enters, walking by.
    Geor. See Gentlemen, what you lack? a fine Holland,
    a fine Cambrick, see what you buy.
    1. Pr. Holland for shirts, Cambrick for bands, what ist (you lack?
    1230Fust. Sfoot, I lack em all, nay more, I lack money to buy
    em: let me see, let me looke agen: masse this is the shop;
    What Coz! sweet Coz! how dost ifayth, since last night
    after candlelight? we had good sport ifayth, had we not?
    and when shals laugh agen?
    1235Wi. When you will, Cozen.
    Fust. Spoke like a kind Lacedemoniā: I see yonders thy (husband.
    Wi. I, ther's the sweet youth, God blesse him.
    Fust. And how ist Cozen? & how? how ist thou squall?
    Wi. Well, Cozen, how fare you?
    1240Fust. How fare I? troth, for sixpence a meale, wench, as
    wel as heart can wish, with Calues chaldrons and chitter-
    lings, besides I haue a Punck after supper, as good as a ro-(asted Apple.
    Cand. Are you my wiues Cozen?
    Fust. A am, sir, what hast thou to do with that?
    1245Cand. O, nothing but y'are welcome.
    E 2 Fust. The
    THE HONEST WHORE.
    Fust. The Deuils dung in thy teeth: Ile be welcom whe-
    ther thou wilt or no, I: What Ring's this Coz? very pretty
    and fantasticall ifayth, lets see it.
    Wife Puh! nay you wrench my finger.
    1250Fust. I ha sworne Ile ha't, and I hope you wil not let my
    othes be crackt in the ring, wil you? I hope, sir, you are not
    mallicolly at this for all your great lookes: are you angry?
    Cand. Angry? not I sir, nay, if she can part
    So easily with her Ring, tis with my heart.
    1255Geo. Suffer this, sir, & suffer all, a whoreson Gull, to --,
    Can. Peace, George, whē she has reapt what I haue sown,
    Sheele say, one grayne tastes better of her owne,
    Then whole sheaues gatherd from anothers land:
    Wit's neuer good, till bought at a deare hand.
    1260Geo. But in the meane time she makes an Asse of some (body.
    2. Pren. See, see, see, sir, as you turne your backe, they
    doe nothing but kisse.
    Cand. No matter, let 'em: when I touch her lip,
    I shall not feele his kisses, no nor misse
    1265Any of her lip: no harme in kissing is.
    Looke to your businesse, pray, make vp your wares.
    Fust. Troth Coz, and well remembred, I would thou
    wouldst giue mee fiue yards of Lawne, to make my Punke
    some falling bands a the fashiō, three falling one vpon ano-
    1270ther: for that's the new editiō now: she's out of linnen hor-
    ribly too, troth, sha's neuer a good smock to her back ney-
    ther, but one that has a great many patches in't, & that I'm
    faine to weare my selfe for want of shift to: prithee put me
    into holesom napery, & bestow some cleane commodities
    1275vpō vs. Wife. Reach me those Cambricks, & the Lawnes
    hither. Cand. What to doe wife? to lauish out my goods
    vpon a foole?
    Fust. Foole! Sneales eate the foole, or Ile so batter your
    crowne, that it shall scarce go for fiue shillings.
    12802. Pr. Do you heare sir? y'are best be quiet, & say a foole (tels you so.
    Fust. Nailes, I think so, for thou telst me.
    Can. Are you angry sir, because I namde the foole?
    Trust me, you are not wise, in mine owne house;
    And
    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,
    THE HONEST WHORE.
    Fust. Sfoot Coz, a good iest, did you heare him? he told
    me in my eare, I was a flat foole, an Asse, a Gull, and Ile
    thrumb you: doe you see this Cambrick sir?
    Wi. What, not my men, I hope?
    1325Fust. No, not your men, but one of your men ifayth.
    1. Pr. I pray sir, come hither, what say you to this? here
    an excellent good one.
    Fust. I marry, this likes me well, cut me off some halfe (score yards.
    2. Pr. Let your whores cut, yare an impudent coxcomb,
    1330you get none, & yet Ile thrum you.- A very good Cam-
    brick sir.
    Fust. Agen, agen, as God iudge me: Sfoot, Coz, they
    stand thrūming here with me all day, & yet I get nothing.
    1. Pr. A word I pray sir, you must not be angry, prentices
    1335haue hote blouds, young fellowes,- What say you to this
    piece? looke you, tis so delicate, so soft, so euen, so fine a
    thrid, that a Lady may weare it.
    Fust. Sfoot I thinke so, if a Knight marry my Punck, a
    Lady shall weare it: cut me off 20. yards: th'art an honest (lad.
    13401. Pr. Not without mony, gull, & ile thrū you to.
    Omn. Gull, weele thrum you.
    Fust. O Lord, sister, did you not heare something cry
    thrum? zounds your men here make a plaine Asse of me.
    Wi. What, to my face so impudent?
    1345Geor. I, in a cause so honest, weele not suffer
    Our masters goods to vanish mony lesse.
    Wife. You will not suffer them.
    2. Pr. No, and you may blush,
    In going about to vex so mild a brest,
    1350As is our masters. Wi. Take away those pieces.
    Cozen, I giue them freely.
    Fust. Masse, and Ile take em as freely.
    Om. Weele make you lay em down agen more freely.
    Wi. Help, help, my brother wilbe murdered. Enter Can.
    1355Cand. How now, what coyle is here? forbeare, I say.
    Geor. He cals vs Flatcaps, and abuses vs.
    Can. Why, sirs? do such examples flow from me?
    Wi. They are of your keeping sir, alas poore brother.
    Fust. I
    THE HONEST WHORE.
    Fust. I fayth they ha pepperd me, sister: looke, doost not
    1360spin? call you these Prentices? Ile nere play at cards more
    whē clubs is trump: I haue a goodly coxcomb, sister, haue (I not?
    Cand. Sister and brother, brother to my wife.
    Fust. If you haue any skill in Heraldry, you may soone
    know that, break but her pate, and you shall see her blood
    1365and mine is all one.
    Can. A Surgeon, run, a Surgeon: Why then wore you
    that forged name of Cozen?
    Fust. Because its a common thing to call Coz, and min-
    gle now adayes all the world ouer.
    1370Cand. Cozen! A name of much deceyt, folly and sin,
    For vnder that common abused word,
    Many an honest tempred Cityzen
    Is made a monster, and his wife traynd out
    To foule adulterous action, full of fraud.
    1375I may well call that word, A Cities Bawd.
    Fust. Troth, brother, my sister would needs ha me take
    vpon me to gull your patience a little: but it has made
    double Gules on my coxcomb.
    Wife. What, playing the woman? blabbing now you (foole?
    1380Cand. O, my wife did but exercise a iest vpon your wit.
    Fust. Sfoot, my wit bleeds for't, me thinks.
    Cand. Then let this warning more of sence afford.
    The name of Cozen is a bloudy word.
    Fnst. Ile nere call Coz agen whilst I liue, to haue such
    1385a coyle about it: this should be a Coronation day; for my
    head runnes Claret lustily. Exit. Enter an Officer.
    Can. Go with the Surgeon to haue great respect.
    How now, my friend, what, do they sit to day?
    Off. Yes sir, they expect you at the Senate-house.
    1390Can. I thāk your paines, Ile not be last man there. Exit Off.
    My gowne, George, goe, my gowne. A happy land,
    Where graue men meet each cause to vnderstand,
    Whose consciences are not cut out in brybes,
    To gull the poore mans right: but in euen scales,
    1395Peize rich & poore, without corruptions veyles.
    Come, wheres the gowne? Ge. I cannot find the key sir.
    Cand. Request it of your mistris.
    E 4 Wife. Come
    THE HONEST WHORE.
    Wife. Come not to me for any key.
    Ile not be troubled to deliuer it.
    1400Cand. Good wife, kind wife, it is a needfull trouble,
    but for my gowne.
    Wife. Mothes swallow downe your gowne:
    you set my teeth an edge with talking on't.
    Cand. Nay prythee, sweet, I cannot meet without it,
    1405I should haue a great fine set on my head.
    Wife. Set on your coxcomb: tush, fine me no fines.
    Can. Beleeue me (sweet) none greets the Senate-house,
    without his Robe of reuerence, that's his Gowne.
    Wife. Wel, then y'are like to crosse that custome once,
    1410You get nor key, nor gowne, and so depart:
    This trick will vexe him sure, and fret his heart. Exit.
    Cand. Stay, let me see, I must haue some deuice,
    My cloke's too short: fy, fy, no cloke will doo't:
    It must be something fashioned like a gowne,
    1415With my armes out: oh George, come hither George,
    I pry thee lend me thine aduice.
    Geor. Troth sir, were it any but you, they would break (open chest.
    Cand. O no, breake open chest! thats a Theeues office:
    Therein you counsell me against my bloud:
    1420'Twould shew impatience that, any meeke meanes
    I would be glad to imbrace. Masse I haue got it:
    Go, step vp, fetch me downe one of the Carpets,
    The saddest colourd Carpet, honest George,
    Cut thou a hole ith middle for my necke,
    1425Two for mine armes, nay prithee looke not strange.
    Geor. I hope you doe not thinke sir, as you meane.
    Cand. Prithee about it quickly, the houre chides me:
    Warily George, softly, take heed of eyes, Exit George.
    Out of two euils hee's accounted wise,
    1430That can picke out the least; the Fine imposde
    For an vn-gowned Senator, is about
    Forty Cruzadoes, the Carpet not 'boue foure.
    Thus haue I chosen the lesser euill yet,
    Preseru'd my patience, foyld her desperate wit.
    1435Geor. Here, sir, heer's the Carpet. Enter George.
    Cand. O
    THE HONEST WHORE.
    Cand. O well done, George, weele cut it iust ith midst:
    Tis very well I thanke thee, helpe it on.
    Ge. It must come ouer your head, sir, like a wenches pe-(ticoate.
    Cand. Th'art in the right, good George, it must indeed.
    1440Fetch me a nightcap: for Ile gyrd it close,
    As if my health were queazy: 'twill show well
    For a rude carelesse night-gowne, wil't not thinkst?
    Ge. Indifferent wel, sir, for a night-gowne, being girt & (pleated.
    Cand. I, and a night-cap on my head.
    1445Ge. Thats true sir, Ile run & fetch one, & a staffe. Exit Ge.
    Cand. For thus they cannot chuse but conster it,
    One that is out of health, takes no delight,
    Weares his apparell without appetite,
    And puts on heedles rayment without forme. Enter Geo.
    1450So so, kind George, be secret now: & prithee do not laugh
    at me till Ime out of sight. Geo. I laugh? not I sir.
    Cand. Now to the Senate-house:
    Methinks, Ide rather weare, without a frowne,
    A patient Carpet, then an angry Gowne. Exit.
    1455Ge. Now looks my M. iust like one of our carpet knights,
    only hee's somwhat the honester of the two. Enter Can-didoes wife.
    Wi. What, is your master gone?
    Geo. Yes forsooth, his backe is but new turnd.
    Wi. And in his cloke? did he not vexe and sweare?
    1460Geor. No, but heele make you sweare anon: no indeed,
    hee went away like a lambe.
    Wife. Key sinke to hell: still patient, patient still!
    I am with child to vexe him: prythee George,
    If ere thou lookst for fauour at my hands,
    1465Vphold one Iest for me. Geor. Against my master?
    Wi. Tis a meere iest in fayth: say, wilt thou doo't?
    Geor. Well, what ist?
    Wi. Heere, take this key, thou knowst where all things (lie,
    Put on thy masters best apparell, Gowne,
    1470Chayne, Cap, Ruffe, euery thing, be like himselfe,
    And 'gainst his comming home, walke in the shop,
    Fayne the same cariage, and his patient looke,
    'Twill breed but a iest thou knowst, speake, wilt thou?
    Geor. 'Twill wrong my masters patience.
    F Wi. Pry-
    THE HONEST WHORE.
    1475Wi. Prythee George. Geor. Well, if youle saue me
    harmlesse, and put me vnder couert barne, I am content to
    please you prouided it may breed no wrong against him.
    Wi. No wrong at all: here take the Key, be gone:
    If any vex him, this: if not this, none Exeunt.
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