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About this text

  • Title: The Whore of Babylon (Quarto, 1607)
  • Editors: Frances E. Dolan, Anna Pruitt

  • 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
    Editors: Frances E. Dolan, Anna Pruitt
    Not Peer Reviewed

    The Whore of Babylon (Quarto, 1607)

    The Whore of Babylon.
    beholders learne more villany then they knew before: others
    likewise there be of this consort la st named, that are like Beadles
    bribed, they whip, but draw no blood, and of these I haue made
    a Rime. Titan. Let's heare it.
    800 Plain. Those that doe jerke these times, are but like fleas,
    They bite the skinne, but leap from the disease.
    Titan. Ile haue you Sir (because you haue an eye so sharp-
    ly pointed) to looke through and through that our great Citie,
    and like death, to spare the liues of none, whose conscience you
    805 find sickly and going.
    Plain. If I giue you the copie of the Cities countenance, Ile
    not flatter the face, as painters do; but shew al the wrinckles of it.
    Titan. Doe so you shall no more to Babylon,
    But liue with vs, and be our Officer.
    810 Plain. Haue I any kinred in your Court? is there any one of
    my name an officer? if there bee, part vs; because it will not bee
    good, to haue two of the Plain-dealings in one office, they'l bee
    beggars if they doe.
    Titan. No Sirra, wee'le prouide you shall not want
    815Whil st vs you serue. Goe learne where Truth doth lie.
    Plain. Nay, nay, I haue heard of her, she dwelles (they say) at
    the signe of the Holy Lambe.
    Titan. Wee built her vp a lodging at our co st,
    To haue her labour in our Vineyards:
    820For till shee came, no Vines could please our ta ste,
    But of her fining. Set your hand to hers,
    Liue with her in one house, fetch from our Court
    Maintenance to serue you all: t'will be to her
    A comfort to haue you stil by her sides,
    825Shee ha's such prettie and delightfull songs,
    That you will count your fore st labour light,
    And time well spent only to heare her sing.
    Away loose no more minutes.
    Pl. Not a minute: Ile set more watches then a clockmaker. Exit.
    830 Elfiron. Paridel.
    Titan. Whats yonder man that kneeles?
    Elfi. Tis (a) Paridel
    (a) Doctor Parry.
    Titan. Our doctor?
    Par. The mo st wretched in your land.
    D2