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A Yorkshire Tragedy

by William, 1564-1616 [Dubious author] Shakespeare

Pages
about 22
Category
Literature & Fiction
Language
English
Reading time
25 min at 250 wpm
Start readingThe whole book, as cards or one word at a time. 14 min at 450 wpm in Read mode.

From the opening

OLIVER. Sirrah Ralph, my young Mistress is in such a pitiful passionate humor for the long absence of her love—

RALPH. Why, can you blame her? why, apples hanging longer on the tree then when they are ripe makes so many fallings; viz., Mad wenches, because they are not gathered in time, are fain to drop of them selves, and then tis Common you know for every man to take em up.

OLIVER. Mass, thou sayest true, Tis common indeed: but, sirrah, is neither our young master returned, nor our fellow Sam come from London?

RALPH. Neither of either, as the Puritan bawd says. Slidd, I hear Sam: Sam’s come, her’s! Tarry! come, yfaith, now my nose itches for news.

SAM. Boy, look you walk my horse with discretion; I have rid him simply. I warrant his skin sticks to his back with very heat: if a should catch cold and get the Cough of the Lungs I were well served, were I not?

AMBO. Honest fellow Sam, welcome, yfaith! what tricks hast thou brought from London?

SAM. You see I am hangd after the truest fashion: three hats, and two glasses, bobbing upon em, two rebato wires upon my breast, a capcase by my side, a brush at my back, an Almanack in my pocket, and three ballats in my Codpiece: nay, I am the true picture of a Common servingman.

OLIVER. I’ll swear thou art. Thou mayest set up when thou wilt. There’s many a one begins with less, I can tell thee, that proves a rich man ere he dies. But what’s the news from London, Sam?

RALPH. Aye, that’s well said; what’s the news from London, Sirrah? My young mistress keeps such a puling for her love.

SAM. Why, the more fool she; aye, the more ninny hammer she.

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