'Tis Pity She's a Whore/Act III Scene III

by John Ford (1586-c. 1639)

 

[SCENA TERTIA. A room in Florio's house.]

 

Enter Giovanni and Putana

 

 Putana. Oh, sir, wee are all undone, quiteundone, utterly undone, and sham'd forever!Your sister, oh, your sister! Giovanni. What of her? For heaven's sake,5speake; how do'es she? Put. Oh, that ever I was borne to see thisday!  Gio. She is not dead, ha? is shee? Put. Dead? no, shee is quicke; 'tis worse,10she is with childe. You know what you havedone; heaven forgive 'ee! 'Tis too late to repent,now^[1] heaven helpe us! Gio. With child? how dost thou know't? Put. How doe I know't! am I at these yeeres15ignorant what the meaning's of quames andwaterpangs be? of changing of colours, quezi-nesse of stomacks, pukings, and another thingthat I could name? Doe not, for her and yourcredits sake, spend the time in asking how, and20which way, 'tis so: shee is quick, upon myword: if you let a phisitian see her water, y'areundone. Gio. But in what case is shee? Put. Prettily amended: 'twas but a fit, which25I soone espi'd, and she must looke for oftenhence-forward. Gio. Commend me to her, bid her take no care;Let not the doctor visit her, I charge you:Make some excuse till I returne.—Oh, mee!30I have a world of businesse in my head.—Doe not discomfort her.^[2] How doe this newes perplex mee!—If my fatherCome to her, tell him shee's recover'd well;Say 'twas but some ill dyet; d'ee heare, woeman?35Looke you to't.Exeunt. Put. I will sir.

1. 12 G-D puts the comma after now. Q, as here.
2. 31-3 Doe not . . . well. Arrangement of G-D. Q makes but two lines, beginning the second with If my father.