The Scornful Lady Part 20
_Elder Lo._ Amen.
_Wel._ I thank yo[u], as unknown for your good wish.
The like to you when ever you shall wed.
_Elder Lo._ O gentle Spirit!
_Lady._ You thank me? I pray Keep your breath nearer you, I do not like it.
_Wel._ I would not willingly offend at all, Much less a Lady of your worthie parts.
_Elder Lo._ Sweet, Sweet!
_La._ I do not think this woman can by nature be thus, Thus ugly; sure she's some common Strumpet, Deform'd with exercise of sin?
_Wel._ O Sir believe not this, for Heaven so comfort me as I am free from foul pollution with any man; my honour ta'ne away, I am no woman.
_Elder Lo._ Arise my dearest Soul; I do not credit it. Alas, I fear her tender heart will break with this reproach; fie that you know no more civility to a weak Virgin. 'Tis no matter Sweet, let her say what she will, thou art not worse to me, and therefore not at all; be careless.
_Wel._ For all things else I would, but for mine honor; Me thinks.
_Elder Lo._ Alas, thine honour is not stain'd, Is this the business that you sent for me about?
_Mar._ Faith Sister you are much to blame, to use a woman, whatsoe're she be, thus; I'le salute her: You are welcome hither.
_Wel._ I humbly thank you.
_Elder Lo._ Milde yet as the Dove, for all these injuries. Come shall we goe, I love thee not so ill to keep thee here a jesting stock. Adue to the worlds end.
_Lady._ Why whither now?
_Elder Lo._ Nay you shall never know, because you shall not find me.
_Lady._ I pray let me speak with you.
_Elder Lo._ 'Tis very well: come.
_Lady._ I pray you let me speak with you.
_Elder Lo._ Yes for another mock.
_Lady._ By Heaven I have no mocks: good Sir a word.
_Elder Lo._ Though you deserve not so much at my hands, yet if you be in such earnest, I'le speak a word with you; but I beseech you be brief: for in good faith there's a Parson and a licence stay for us i'th' Church all this while: and you know 'tis night.
_Lady._ Sir, give me hearing patiently, and whatsoever I have heretofore spoke jestingly, forget: for as I hope for mercy any where, what I shall utter now is from my heart, and as I mean.
_Elder Lo._ Well, well, what do you mean?
_Lady._ Was not I once your Mistress, and you my Servant?
_Elder Lo._ O 'tis about the old matter.
_Lady._ Nay good Sir stay me out; I would but hear you excuse your self, why you should take this woman, and leave me.
_Elder Lo._ Prethee why not, deserves she not as much as you?
_Lady._ I think not, if you will look With an indifferency upon us both.
_Elder Lo._ Upon your faces, 'tis true: but if judiciously we shall cast our eyes upon your minds, you are a thousand women of her in worth: she cannot swound in jest, nor set her lover tasks, to shew her peevishness, and his affection, nor cross what he saies, though it be Canonical. She's a good plain wench, that will do as I will have her, and bring me l.u.s.ty Boys to throw the Sledge, and lift at Pigs of Lead: and for a Wife, she's far beyond you: what can you do in a houshold to provide for your issue, but lye i' bed and get 'em? your business is to dress you, and at idle hours to eat; when she can do a thousand profitable things: she can do pretty well in the Pastry, and knows how Pullen should be cram'd, she cuts Cambrick at a thread, weaves Bone-lace, and quilts b.a.l.l.s; and what are you good for?
_Lady._ Admit it true, that she were far beyond me in all respects, does that give you a licence to forswear your self?
_Elder Lo._ Forswear my self, how?
_Lady._ Perhaps you have forgotten the innumerable oaths you have utter'd in disclaiming all for Wives but me: I'le not remember you: G.o.d give you joy.
_Elder Lo._ Nay but conceive me, the intent of oaths is ever understood: Admit I should protest to such a friend, to see him at his Lodging to morrow: Divines would never hold me perjur'd if I were struck blind, or he hid him where my diligent search could not find him: so there were no cross act of mine own in't. Can it be imagined I mean to force you to Marriage, and to have you whether you will or no?
_Lady._ Alas you need not. I make already tender of my self, and then you are forsworn.
_Elder Lo._ Some sin I see indeed must necessarily fall upon me, as whosoever deals with Women shall never utterly avoid it: yet I would chuse the least ill; which is to forsake you, that have done me all the abuses of a malignant Woman, contemn'd my service, and would have held me prating about Marriage, till I had been past getting of Children: then her that hath forsaken her Family, and put her tender body in my hand, upon my word--
_Lady._ Which of us swore you first to?
_Elder Lo._ Why to you.
_Lady._ Which oath is to be kept then?
_Elder Lo._ I prethee do not urge my sins unto me, Without I could amend 'em.
_Lady._ Why you may by wedding me.
_Elder Lo._ How will that satisfie my word to her?
_Lady._ 'Tis not to be kept, and needs no satisfaction, 'Tis an error fit for repentance only.
_Elder Lo._ Shall I live to wrong that tender hearted Virgin so? It may not be.
_Lady._ Why may it not be?
_Elder Lo._ I swear I would rather marry thee than her: but yet mine honesty?
_Lady._ What honesty? 'Tis more preserv'd this way: Come, by this light, servant, thou shalt, I'le kiss thee on't.
_Elder Lo._ This kiss indeed is sweet, pray G.o.d no sin lie under it.
_Lady._ There is no sin at all, try but another.