Digital Renaissance Editions

About this text

  • Title: The Honest Whore, Part 1 (Quarto 2, 1604)
  • 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.
    Authors: Thomas Dekker, Thomas Middleton
    Editor: Joost Daalder
    Peer Reviewed

    The Honest Whore, Part 1 (Quarto 2, 1604)

    The conuerted Courtizan.
    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 shal 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 Nin-
    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