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 CONVERTED
    2075I thanke em for't: besides I had decreed
    To haue a vaine prickt, I did meane to bleede,
    So that theres mony sau'd: they are honest men,
    Pray vse em well, when they appeare agen.
    Geo. Yes sir, weele vse em like honest men.
    2080Cand. I well said George, like honest men, tho they be ar-
    rant knaues, for thats the phrase of the citty; helpe to lay vp
    these wares

    Enter Candido's wife, with Officers.

    Wife. Yonder he stands.
    2085Off What in a Prentise-coate?
    Wif. I, I, mad, mad, pray take heed.
    Cand. How now? what newes with them? what make they
    with my wife? officers? is she attachd? looke to your wares.
    Wif. He talkes to himselfe, oh hees much gone indeed.
    2090Off. Pray pluck vp a good heart, be not so fearfull,
    Sirs hearke, weele gather to him by degrees.
    Wi. I, I. by degrees I pray: oh me! what makes he with
    the Lawne in his hand, heele teare all the ware in my shop.
    Off. Feare not weele catch him on a sudden.
    2095Wi. O you had need do so, pray take heed of your warrant
    Off. I warrant mistris. -- Now Signior Candido?
    Cand. Now sir, what newes with you sir?
    Wi. What newes with you he sayes: oh hees far gon.
    Off. I pray feare nothing, lets alone with him,
    2100Signior, you looke not like your selfe me thinkes,
    (Steale yon a tother side) y'are changde, y'are altred.
    Cand. Changde sir, why true sir, is change strange, tis not
    the fashion vnlesse it alter: Monarkes turne to beggers; beg-
    gers creepe into the nests of Princes, Maisters serue their
    2105prentises: Ladies their Seruingmen, men turne to women.
    Off. And women turne to men.
    Cand. I, and women turne to men, you say true, ha ha, a
    mad world, a mad world.
    Off. Haue we caught you sir?
    2110Cand. Caught me: well, well: you haue caught: me.
    Wi. Hee laughes in your faces.
    Geo