'Tis Pity She's a Whore/Act II Scene I

by John Ford (1586-c. 1639)

 

ACTUS SECUNDUS. [SCENA PRIMA.]

 

[An apartment in Florio's house.]

 

Enter Giovanni and Annabella as from their chamber.

 

 Giovanni. Come, Annabella,—no more sister now,But love, a name more gracious,—doe not blush,Beauties sweete wonder, but be proud to knowThat yeelding thou hast conquer'd, and inflam'd5A heart whose tribute is thy brothers life. Annabella. And mine is his! Oh, how these stolne contentsWould print a modest crymson on my cheekes,Had any but my hearts delight prevail'd! Gio. I marvaile why the chaster of your sex10Should thinke this pretty toye call'd maiden-headSo strange a losse, when, being lost, 'tis nothing,And you are still the same. Anna.'Tis well for you;Now you can talke. Gio.Musicke aswell consistsIn th' care as in the playing. Anna.Oh, y'are^[1] wanton!Tell on't, y'are best; doe. 15 Gio.Thou wilt chide me, then.Kisse me—so! Thus hung Jove on Læda's necke,And suck't divine ambrosia from her lips.I envy not the mightiest man alive;But hold my selfe, in being king of thee,20More great than were I king of all the world.But I shall lose you, sweet-heart. Anna.But you shall not! Gio. You must be married, mistres.^[2] Anna.Yes, to whom? Gio. Some one must have you.^[3] Anna.You must. Gio.Nay, some other.^[4] Anna. Now, prithee, do not speake so; without jestingYou'le make me weepe in earnest.25 Gio.What, you will not!But tell me, sweete, cans't thou be dar'd to sweareThat thou wilt live to mee, and to no other? Anna. By both our loves I dare; for didst thou know,My Giovanni, how all suiters seeme30To my eyes hatefull, thou wouldst trust mee then.  Gio. Enough, I take thy word. Sweet, we must part:Remember what thou vow'st; keepe well my heart. Anna. Will you begon? Gio.I must. Anna.When to returne? Gio. Soone. Anna.Looke you doe.Exit. Gio.Farewell.^[5]35 Anna. Goe where thou wilt, in mind I'le keepe thee here,And where thou art, I know I shall be there.Guardian!Enter Putana. Putana. Child, how is't, child? Well, thanke heaven, ha! Anna. O guardian, what a paradise of joy40Have I past over! Put. Nay, what a paradise of joy have youpast under! Why now I commend thee,chardge. Feare nothing, sweete-heart, whatthough hee be your brother: your brother's a45man, I hope, and I say still, if a young wenchfeele the fitt upon her, let her take any body—father or brother, all is one.  Anna. I would not have it knowne for all the world. Put. Nor I, indeed, for the speech of the peo-ple; else 'twere nothing. Florio (within). Daughter Annabella! Anna. O mee! my father.—Here, sir!— Reach my worke. Flo. (within). What are you doeing? Anna.So, let him come now.Enter Florio, Richardetto like a Doctor of Phisicke, and Philotis with a lute in her hand. Flo. So hard at worke! that's well; you lose no time55Looke, I have brought you company; here's oneA learned doctor, lately come from Padua,Much skild in physicke; and, for that I seeYou have of late beene sickly, I entreatedThis reverent man to visit you some time. Anna. Y'are very welcome, sir.60 Richardetto.I thanke you, mistresse.Loud fame in large report hath spoke your praiseAswell for vertue as perfection:For which I have beene bold to bring with meeA kins-woeman of ine, a maide, for song65And musicke one perhaps will give content.Please you to know her. Anna.They are parts I love.And shee for them most welcome.  Philotis. Thanke you, lady. Flo. Sir, now you know my house, pray make not strange;And if you finde my daughter neede your art,I'le be your pay-master.70 Rich.Sir, what I amShee shall command.^[6] Flo.You shall bind me to you.Daughter, I must have conference with youAbout some matters that concernes us both.Good Maister Doctor, please you but walke in,75Wee'le crave a little of your cozens cunning:I thinke my girle hath not quite forgotTo touch an instrument; she could have don't:Wee'le heare them both.Exeunt. Rich.I'le waite upon you, sir.

1. 14 y'are. G-D, you're.
2. 22 You must be married, mistres. Q prints on line above.
3. 22-3 Yes . . . have you. Q prints on one line.
4. 23 You must.Gio.Nay, some other. Q prints on one line.
5. 33-4 Will you begon? Gio. I must makes one line of Q; When to returne? Gio. Soone. another; and Looke you doe. Gio. Farewell. a third.
6. 70-1 Sir . . . command. Q prints as one line.