Library / Literature & Fiction

The Puritan Widow
by William, 1564-1616 [Dubious author] Shakespeare
- Pages
- about 72
- Category
- Literature & Fiction
- Language
- English
- Reading time
- 79 min at 250 wpm
From the opening
[Enter the Lady Widdow-Plus, her two daughters Frank and Moll,
her husband’s Brother an old Knight Sir Godfrey, with her Son
and heir Master Edmond, all in mourning apparel, Edmond in a
Cyrpess Hat. The Widdow wringing her hands, and bursting out
Into passion, as newly come from the Burial of her husband.
WIDOW.
Oh, that ever I was borne, that ever I was borne!
SIR GODFREY.
Nay, good Sister, dear sister, sweet sister, be of good
comfort; show your self a woman, now or never.
WIDOW.
Oh, I have lost the dearest man, I have buried the sweetest
husband that ever lay by woman.
SIR GODFREY.
Nay, give him his due, he was indeed an honest, virtuous,
Discreet, wise man,—he was my Brother, as right as right.
WIDOW.
O, I shall never forget him, never forget him; he was a man
so well given to a woman—oh!
SIR GODFREY.
Nay, but, kind Sister, I could weep as much as any woman,
but, alas, our tears cannot call him again: me thinks you
are well read, Sister, and know that death is as common as
Homo, a common name to all men:—a man shall be taken when
he’s making water.—Nay, did not the learned Parson, Master
Pigman, tell us e’en now, that all Flesh is frail, we are
borne to die, Man ha’s but a time: with such like deep and
profound persuasions, as he is a rare fellow, you know, and
an excellent Reader: and for example, (as there are
examples aboundance,) did not Sir Humfrey Bubble die tother
day? There’s a lusty Widdow; why, she cried not above half
an hour—for shame, for shame! Then followed him old Master
Fulsome, the Usurer: there’s a wise Widdow; why, she cried
ne’er a whit at all.
WIDOW.
O, rank not me with those wicked women: I had a husband
Out-shined ’em all.
A short sample. Read the whole book
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