Bolt.
Bawd.
Sad times, Bolt.
Bolt.
Ay, very sad times, Mistress.
Bawd.
This new order, so much talk'd of, for
suppressing publick lewdness, will be the ruin of us.
All our business will fall into private hands. I must
shut up my doors, I must quit my house, unless we
can find some way to evade it.
Bolt.
Whip Bawds and Panders! fine doings!
rare Magistrates! Let 'em whip their own lubberly
Sons and dough-bak'd Daughters for their idleness,
and not punish people for their industry and service
to the publick.
Bawd.
Nay, nay, if they will turn iniquity out
of the high-ways, they must expect to find it in their
families. Let them keep their Wives and Daughters
honest if they can. The necessities of Gentlemen
must be supply'd.
Bolt.
There are abundance of foreign Merchants
and Travellers here in Ephesus, that us'd to be our
customers.
Bawd.
And old Batchelors.
-- 16 --
Bolt.
And younger Brothers.
Bawd.
And disconsolate Widowers.
Bolt.
And Husbands that have old Wives.
Bawd.
And Philosophers, Lawyers, and Soldiers
that have none at all; and all these must be serv'd.
Bolt.
And will, while Women are to be had for
money, love, or importunity.
Bawd.
Ay, let the Citizens, who spirited up this
prosecution against our useful vocation, think of the
consequence, and tremble.
Bolt.
Yet, after all, these threats may come to
nothing. You have weather'd many such a storm,
Mother Coupler.
Bawd.
Ay, Bolt, I have had my ups and my
downs—no Woman more—But I will not be discourag'd,
I will not neglect business for a rumour
neither. The mart will fill the town, and we are
but meanly furnish'd.
Bolt.
Never worse. Three poor wenches are all
our store, and they can do no more than they can.
Bawd.
Thou say'st true. And those so stale, so
sunk, and so diseas'd, that a strong wind would blow
'em all to pieces. I must have others, whatever they
cost me.
Bolt.
Shall I search the slave market?
Bawd.
Those we buy there, are mostly half
worn out before we have them. There was the little
Transilvanian you bought last, did not live above
three months, and never brought in half the money
she cost.
Bolt.
Ay, she was quickly made meat for worms.
But there are losses in all trades, and ours not being
honest—
-- 17 --
Bawd.
Marry come up; I pray, what trades are
honest, as they are us'd? We are no worse than
others.
Enter Valdes, and other Pirates, with Marina.
Vald.
Where's Mother Coupler? Where are you,
Bawd?
Bawd.
Why, how now, Roister? How now,
Captain Thief? Use your Tarpaulin language to thy
own natural Mother; do, Brawn and Bristle, do,
Ironface.
Vald.
Let any one be judge, whether my chin,
somewhat black and rough I must confess, or thine,
that's cover'd with grey down, like a goose's rump,
be the more comely. Thy face is a memento mori
for thy own sex, and to ours an antidote against
the sin you live by. But, see what we have brought
you: Here's a Paragon.
Bolt. (aside the Bawd.)
Mark the colour of her
hair, complection, shape and age.
Bawd.
I have noted them all. When Nature
form'd this piece, she meant me a good turn.
Vald.
Here's that will repair your decay'd arras,
and set you up for a Bawd of condition.
Bawd.
I was just saying, what stale, worn out
creatures are daily brought to market; and those who
buy of Pirates, must expect as bad, or worse: And
then I have choice enough, and those not blown on.
Vald.
Nay, nay, use your pleasure: You have the
first proffer of her. If she's not for your turn, there's
no harm done: She's any one's money.
Bawd.
You don't consider the dulness of the times.
If men were as they have been—
-- 18 --
Vald.
A virgin too.
Bawd.
A likely matter, coming from the hands
of such a lawless crew!
Vald.
You are deceived. We have laws amongst
our selves, or I would not have parted with her.
However we are distinguish'd by titles and office,
each man hath a right to his proportion of every
prize we take; which all claiming on the sight of
her, and refusing to compound with, or give
place to any other, there ensued such jealousy, such
fury and contention, that we were obliged, by common
consent, to leave her untouch'd, and dispose of
her, as soon as possible, to prevent the cutting of
one anothers throats.
Bawd.
Well, what's your price?
Vald.
What do you mean ready rigg'd? She
has excellent cloaths you see.
Bawd.
If I deal for her, I take her altogether.
Vald.
I won't bate one doit of a thousand pieces.
Bawd.
What shall I give you for your conscience,
Valdes?
Vald.
Your honesty, Mother Coupler: We won't
differ for a trifle.
Bawd.
Five hundred pieces, Sir!
Vald.
Four times told, Madam.
Bawd.
Why, what the Devil, you said but a
thousand e'en now.
Vald.
I thought you cou'dn't hear but by halves,
and was willing to come up to your understanding.
Bolt.
You'll stand haggling till you lose her.
Vald.
Look you, I am at a word. But for the
reason I just now spoke of, you shou'd not have had
her for twice the sum.
-- 19 --
Bawd.
Follow me, and you shall have your money.
Bolt, take care of my purchase.
Bolt.
Never fear, Mistress, never fear.
(Exeunt Vald. Bawd and Pirates.
Mar.
Immortal Gods! to what am I reserv'd?
Bolt.
Come hither, child. You are but young,
and may want some instructions. Tho' she who has
bought you, your Mistress and mine, knows as
much as a woman can know; yet there's nothing
like a man to teach you the practical part of business,
take my word for it.
Mar.
What are you, Sir?
Bolt.
A middle aged person, as you see; and in
perfect health, that you may depend upon.
Mar.
Is your mind sound?
Bolt.
She's mighty simple. Ay, ay, as sound as
my body.
Mar.
The Gods preserve it so. Yet you talk strangely.
Bolt.
I thank you heartily for your good wishes.
Nay, I am the principal person in this family, after
our Mistress: It may be well worth your while to
make a friend of me.
Mar.
I know not, but am sure I want a friend.
I am of maids most wretched.
Bolt.
I'll quickly ease you of the wretchedness of
being a maid. Yet you must pass for one, and often.
Mar.
I understand you not.
Bolt.
Such things are common here. But of that,
and other needful arts in our profession, my Mistress
will inform you.
(lays hold of her.
-- 20 --
Mar.
Why do you rudely lay your hands upon me?
I am not to be touch'd.
Bolt.
Not to be touch'd! Ha, ha, in troth a pretty
jest, and will do rarely with some young gulls.
To seem most fearful when you are most willing,
and weep as you do now, will move the pity of
your Inamoratos, and strain their purses to shower
down gold upon you. Your striving will not save
you: This is no place for squeamish modesty: We
live by lewdness here, and you were bought to carry
on the trade.
Mar.
Hence, thou detested slave, thou shameless villain.
(Breaks from him.
Enter Bawd.
You powers that favour chastity, defend me.
Bawd.
Why how now? what's the matter here?
what have you been doing with her?
Bolt.
Nothing, Mistress, and I am afraid there
is nothing to be done with her. She fights like a
she Tyger.
Bawd.
Out, you rascal. Is this a morsel for
your chaps?
Bolt.
Why not? Do you think I'll serve up a
delicate dish without tasting it?
Bawd.
In your turn, sirrah, in your turn. Let
your betters be serv'd before you.
Bolt.
Ay, but a bit of the spit, you know—
Bawd.
About your business, and let Gentlemen
know how we are provided for their entertainment.
(Exit Bolt.) Don't cry, pretty one: He shall be
made to know his distance, and his time. While
-- 21 --
you behave discreetly, child, you shall be reserv'd
for the better sort of men only. You are fallen into
good hands, depend upon it.
Mar.
O why was Leonine so slack, so slow!
Wou'd he had us'd his sword, and not his tongue!
Or that the Pirates, not enough Barbarians,
Had thrown me in the sea to seek my mother.
Bawd.
Come, come, my rose-bud, my sprig of
Jessamin, you are all beauty and sweetness—you
have no cause to grieve—Heaven has done its part
by you.
Mar.
I accuse not Heaven.
Bawd.
Here you may live, and shall.
Mar.
The more's my grief
T' have scap'd his hands, who wou'd have given me death.
Bawd.
And live with pleasure.
Mar.
No.
Bawd.
You shall not want variety: you shall
have men, and men of all complexions.
Mar.
Are you a woman?
Bawd.
A woman! pray, what do you take me
for, Madam? I have been thought a woman, and
an handsome woman in my time.
Mar.
Of this I'm sure, you are not what you shou'd be:
A woman shou'd be honest.
Bawd.
O the Devil!
Mar.
And modest, and religious.
Bawd.
You're a sapling to talk so to one of my
experience. Honest, modest, and religious, with
a pox to you! I'll make you know, before I've done
-- 22 --
with you, that I won't have any such thing mention'd
in my house.
Mar.
The gracious Gods defend me.
Bawd.
What, do you offer to say your prayers
in my hearing! Is this a place to pray in? Don't
provoke me, don't. I find I shall have something
to do with you. But you shall bend or break, I can
tell you that for your comfort.
Enter Bolt.
Bolt.
Mistress, here's the lean French Knight, he
that cowers in the hams, and the fat German Count.
Bawd.
In good time. Here, take this stubborn
fool, and carry her to them.
Bolt.
To which of them?
Bawd.
To him that will give most first, and to
the other afterwards. She cost me a round sum, but
don't refuse money. Her blushes must be quench'd
with present practice: She's good for nothing as
she is.
Mar.
Diana, aid my purpose.
Bolt.
Come your ways. What have we to do with
Diana?
Bawd.
Ay, troop, follow your Leader. We'll
teach you honesty, modesty, and religion with a
vengeance.
Mar.
If fires be hot, steel sharp, or waters deep,
Unstain'd I still my virgin fame will keep.
(Exeunt.
The End of the First ACT.
-- 23 --
George Lillo [1738], Marina: a play of three acts. As it is Acted at the Theatre Royal in Convent-Garden. Taken from Pericles Prince of Tyre. By Mr. Lillo (Printed for John Gray [etc.], London) [word count] [S32100].
