The plays and poems Volume 4

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1843 Excerpt: ...better, She ne'er had known pomp: though it be temporal,, Yet, if that quarrel, fortune, do divorce It from the bearer, 't is a sufferance panging As soul and body's severing. OldL. Alas, poor lady! She's a stranger now again? Anne. So much the more Must pity drop upon her. Verily, I swear, 't is better to be lowly born, And range with humble livers in content, Than to be perk'd up in a glistering grief, And wear a golden sorrow. Old. L. Our content Is our best having. Anne. By my troth, and maidenhead, I would not be a queen. OldL. Bcshrew me, I would, And venture maidenhead for't; and so would you, For all this spice of your hypocrisy. You that have so fair parts of woman on you, Have, too, a woman's heart; which ever yet Affected eminence, wealth, sovereignty: Which, to say sooth, are blessings, and which gifts (Saving your mincing) the capacity Of your soft cheveril conscience would receive, If you might please to stretch it. Anne. Nay, good troth,--OldL. Yes, troth, and troth.--You would not he a queen? Anne. No, not for all the riches under heaven. OldL. "T is strange: a three-pence bowed would hire me, Old as I am, to queen it. But, I pray you, What think you of a duchess? have you limbs To bear that load of title? Anne. No, in truth. Old. L. Then you are weakly made. Pluck off a little: I would not be a young count in your way, For more than blushing comes to. If your back Cannot vouchsafe this burden, 't is too weak Ever to get a boy. Anne. How you do talk! I swear again, I would not be a queen For all the world. Old. L. In faith, for little England You 'd venture an emballing: I myself Would for Carnarvonshire, although there 'long'd No more to the crown but that. Lo! who comes here? Enter the Lord Chamberlain. Cham. Good morrow, ladies. What...