The Busie Body by Susanna Centlivre
page 51 of 136 (37%)
page 51 of 136 (37%)
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_Isab._ What harm can there be in a little fresh Air, Sir? Sir _Jeal._ Is your Constitution so hot, Mistriss, that it wants cooling, ha? Apply the Virtuous _Spanish_ Rules, banish your Tast, and Thoughts of Flesh, feed upon Roots, and quench your Thirst with Water. _Isab._ That, and a close Room, wou'd certainly make me die of the Vapours. Sir _Jeal._ No, Mistriss, 'tis your High-fed, Lusty, Rambling, Rampant Ladies--that are troubl'd with the Vapours; 'tis your Ratifia, Persico, Cynamon, Citron, and Spirit of Clary, cause such Swi--m--ing in the Brain, that carries many a Guinea full-tide to the Doctor. But you are not to be Bred this way; No Galloping abroad, no receiving Visits at home; for in our loose Country, the Women are as dangerous as the Men. _Patch._ So I told her, Sir; and that it was not Decent to be seen in a Balcone--But she threaten'd to slap my Chaps, and told me, I was her Servant, not her Governess. Sir _Jeal._ Did she so? But I'll make her to know, that you are her _Duenna_: Oh that incomparable Custom of _Spain!_ why here's no depending upon old Women in my Country--for they are as Wanton at Eighty, as a Girl of Eighteen; and a Man may as safely trust to _Asgill_'s Translation, as to his great Grand-Mother's not marrying agen. _Isab._ Or to the _Spanish_ Ladies Veils, and _Duenna's_, for the Safeguard of their Honour. |
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