THE CITY MADAM. A COMEDY. BY PHILIP MASSINGER. Luke, from a state of indigence and dependance, is suddenly raised into immense affluence by a deed of gift of the estates of his brother Sir John Frugal, a merchant, retired from the world. He enters, from taking a survey of his new riches. r; Luke. 'Twas no fantastic object, but a truth, That without a charm (To the Key.) Hermes' Moly; Sybilla's golden bough; the great elixir, Imagin'd only by the alchymist; Compar'd with thee, are shadows, thou the substance And guardian of felicity. No marvel, My brother made thy place of rest his bosom, This sacred room, silver, in bags heap'd up, That That flow'd about the room, conceal'd itself. To draw in more. The extravagance of the City Madams aping court fashions reprehended. Luke, having come into the possession of his brother Sir John Frugal's estates. Lady, wife to Sir John Frugal, and two daughters, in homely attire. Luke. Save you, sister; I now dare stile you so. You were before Too glorious to be look'd on: now you appear Such things As they were born and bred there. Why should you ape Lady Lady. Is this spoken In scorn? Luke. Fie, no; with judgment. I make good My promise, and now shew you like yourselves, In your own natural shapes. Lady. We acknowledge We have deserv'd ill from you,104 yet despair not, Though we're at your disposure, you'll maintain us Like your brother's wife and daughters. Luke. 'Tis my purpose. Lady. And not make us ridiculous. As fair examples for our proud city dames Your father was An honest country farmer, Goodman Humble, By his neighbours ne'er call'd master. Did your pride A velvet hood, rich borders, and sometimes A dainty miniver cap, a silver pin Headed with a pearl worth threepence; and thus far You were privileg'd, and no man envied it: It being for the city's honour that There should be distinction between The wife of a patrician and a plebeian. ———— And dignity of London's blessings grew Became a by-word, and you scorn'd the means By which you were rais'd (my brother's fond indulgence 104 In his dependant state they had treated him very cruelly. They are now dependant on him. Giving Giving the reins to't) and no object pleas'd you To buz into your ears, what shape this countess (The reverend hood cast off) your borrow'd hair, And roses worth a family. You were serv'd Stirr'd not a foot without a coach; and going Your pomp, you were tickled when the beggars cried An absolute princess (since they have no more) To cover the brat's cradle; you in state, Lady. No more, I pray you. Luke. Luke. Of this be sure you shall not. I'll cut off Or in your daughters; and reduce you to A NEW WAY TO PAY OLD DEBTS. A COMEDY. BY PHILIP MASSINGER. Over-reach, (a cruel extortioner) treats about marrying his daughter with Lord Lovell. LOVELL. OVERREACH. Over. To my wish we are private. I come not to make offer with my daughter A certain portion; that were poor and trivial: In one word I pronounce all that is mine, In lands or leases, ready coin or goods, With her, my lord, comes to you; nor shall you have I live too long, since every year I'll add Something unto the heap, which shall be yours too. Over. You shall have reason To think me such. How do you like this seat? 105 This bitter satire against the city women for aping the fashions of the court ladies must have been peculiarly gratifying to the females of the Herbert family and the rest of Massinger's noble patrons and patronesses. Το |