Digital Renaissance Editions

About this text

  • Title: The Honest Whore, Part 2 (Quarto 1, 1630)
  • 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.
    Author: Thomas Dekker
    Editor: Joost Daalder
    Not Peer Reviewed

    The Honest Whore, Part 2 (Quarto 1, 1630)

    The Honest Whore.
    Cand. A bargaine. Strike.
    1005Bride. Then guard you from this blow,
    For I play all at legges, but 'tis thus low.She kneeles.
    Behold, I am such a cunning Fencer growne,
    I keepe my ground, yet downe I will be throwne
    With the least blow you giue me, I disdaine
    1010The wife that is her husbands Soueraigne.
    She that vpon your pillow first did rest,
    They say, the breeches wore, which I detest.
    The taxe which she imposed vpon you, I abate you,
    If me you make your Master, I shall hate you.
    1015The world shall iudge who offers fairest play;
    You win the breeches, but I win the day.
    Cand. Thou winst the day indeed, giue me thy hand,
    Ile challenge thee no more: my patient brest
    Plaid thus the Rebell, onely for a iest:
    1020Here's the rancke rider that breakes Colts, 'tis he
    Can tame the mad folkes, and curst wiues.
    Bride. Who, your man?
    Cand. My man? my Master, tho his head be bare,
    But he's so courteous, he'll put off his haire.
    1025Lod. Nay, if your seruice be so hot, a man cannot keepe
    his haire on, Ile serue you no longer.
    Bride. Is this your Schoolemaster?
    Lod. Yes faith, wench, I taught him to take thee downe:
    I hope thou canst take him downe without teaching; you
    1030ha got the conquest, and you both are friends.
    Cand. Beare witnes else.
    Lod. My Prentiship then ends.
    Cand. For the good seruice you to me haue done,
    I giue you all your yeeres.
    1035Lod. I thanke you Master.
    Ile kisse my Mistris now, that she may say,
    My man was bound, and free all in one day.Exeunt.

    Enter Orlando, and Infaelice.
    Infae. From whom saiest thou?
    Orla.