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    Not Peer Reviewed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.
    got thee with child, and now will not keepe it?
    Bolla. No sir, my businesse is vnto my Lord.
    Lod. Hee's about his owne wife now, hee'le hardly dis-
    95patch two causes in a morning.
    Asto. No matter what he saies, faire Lady, hee's a Knight,
    there's no hold to be taken at his words.
    Fro. My Lord will passe this way presently.
    Bert. A pretty plumpe Rogue.
    100Ast. A good lusty bouncing baggage.
    Bert. Doe you know her?
    Lod. A pox on her, I was sure her name was in my Table-
    booke once, I know not of what cut her dye is now, but she
    has beene more common then Tobacco: this is she that had
    105the name of the Honest Whore.
    Omnes. Is this she?
    Lod. This is the Blackamore that by washing was turned
    white: this is the Birding Peece new scowred: this is shee
    that (if any of her religion can be saued) was saued by my
    110Lord Hipolito.
    Asto. She has beene a goodly creature.
    Lod. She has bin! that's the Epitaph of all Whores, I'm
    well acquainted with the poore Gentleman her Husband,
    Lord! what fortunes that man has ouerreached? She knowes
    115not me, yet I haue beene in her company, I scarce know her,
    for the beauty of her cheeke hath (like the Moone) suffred
    strange Eclipses since I beheld it: but women are like Med-
    lars (no sooner ripe but rotten.)
    A woman last was made, but is spent first,
    120Yet man is oft proued, in performance worst.
    Omnes. My Lord is come.
    Enter Hypolito, Infaeliche, and two waiting women.
    Hip. We ha wasted halfe this morning: morrow Lodouico.
    Lod. Morrow Madam.
    125Hip. Let's away to Horse.
    Omnes. I, I to Horse, to Horse.
    Bela. I doe beseech your Lordship, let your eye read
    o're this wretched Paper.
    Hip.