Act 4 — [Scene I.][4308]

Kick. I am not hurt; my patience to obey ’em, Not without fear to ha’ my throat cut else, Did me a courtesy. Whither ha’ they brought me? [Pulls off a bandage.] ’T is devilish dark; the bottom of a well At midnight, with but two stars on the top,5 Were broad day to this darkness. I but think How like a whirlwind these rogues caught me up, And smothered my eyesight. Let me see, These may be spirits, and, for aught I know, Have brought me hither over twenty steeples.10 Pray Heaven they were not bailiffs! that ’s more worth My fear, and this a prison. All my debts Reek in my nostril, and my bones begin To ache with fear to be made dice; and yet This is too calm and quiet for a prison.—15 What if the riddle prove I am robb’d? And yet I did not feel ’em search me. How now! music! [Music within.] Enter Decoy, like an old Woman, with a light. And a light! What beldam ’s this? I cannot pray.— What art? Dec. A friend. Fear not, young man, I am No spirit. Kick. Off! Dec. Despise me not for age,20 Or this coarse outside, which I wear not out Of poverty. Thy eyes be witness, ’t is No cave, or beggar’s cell, th’ art brought to; let That gold speak here ’s no want, which thou mayst spend, And find a spring to tire even prodigality,25 If thou be’st wise. [Gives him a purse.] Kick. The devil was a coiner From the beginning; yet the gold looks current. Dec. Th’ art still in wonder: know, I am mistress of This house, and of a fortune that shall serve And feed thee with delights; ’t was I sent for thee;30 The jewel and the letter came from me. It was my art thus to contrive our meeting, Because I would not trust thee with my fame, Until I found thee worth a woman’s honour. Kick [Aside.] Honour and fame! the devil means to have35 A care on ’s credit. Though she sent for me, I hope she has another customer To do the trick withal; I would not turn Familiar to a witch. Dec. What say’st? Canst thou Dwell in my arms to-night? Shall we change kisses,40 And entertain the silent hours with pleasure, Such as old Time shall be delighted with, And blame the too swift motion of his wings, While we embrace? Kick. [Aside.] Embrace! She has had no teeth This twenty years, and the next violent cough45 Brings up her tongue; it cannot possibly Be sound at root. I do not think but one Strong sneeze upon her, and well meant, would make Her quarters fall away; one kick would blow49 Her up like gunpowder, and loose all her limbs. She is so cold, an incubus would not heat her; Her phlegm would quench a furnace, and her breath Would damp a musket bullet. Dec. Have you, sir, Consider’d? Kick. What? Dec. My proposition.54 Canst love? Kick. I could have done; whom do you mean? I know you are pleas’d but to make sport. Dec. Thou art not So dull of soul as thou appear’st. Kick. [Aside.] This is But some device; my grannam has some trick in ’t.— Yes, I can love. Dec. But canst thou affect me? Kick. Although to reverence so grave a matron60 Were an ambitious word in me, yet since You give me boldness, I do love you. Dec. Then Thou art my own. Kick. [Aside.] Has she no cloven foot? Dec. And I am thine, and all that I command Thy servants; from this minute thou art happy, And fate in thee will crown all my desires.66 I griev’d a proper man should be compell’d To bring his body to the common market. My wealth shall make thee glorious; and, the more To encourage thee, howe’er this form may fright70 Thy youthful eyes, yet thou wo’t find, by light Of thy own sense, for other light is banish’d My chamber, when our arms tie lovers’ knots, And kisses seal the welcome of our lips, I shall not there affright thee, nor seem old,75 With rivell’d[4309] veins; my skin is smooth and soft As ermines, with a spirit to meet thine, Active, and equal to the Queen of Love’s When she did court Adonis. Kick. [Aside.] This doth more Confirm she is a devil, and I am80 Within his own dominions. I must on, Or else be torn, a’ pieces. I have heard These succubae must not be crost. Dec. We trifle Too precious time away; I’ll show you a prospect Of the next chamber, and then out the candle.85 Kick. Have you no sack i’ th’ house? I would go arm’d Upon this breach. Dec. It sh’ not need. Kick. One word. Mother; have not you been a cat in your days? Dec. I am glad you are so merry, sir. You observe That bed? [Opens a door.] Kick. A very brave one. Dec. When you are90 Disrob’d, you can come thither in the dark. You sha’ not stay for me? Come, as you wish For happiness. Exit. Kick. I am preferr’d, if I Be modest and obey: she cannot have94 The heart to do me harm, an she were Hecate Herself. I will have a strong faith, and think I march upon a mistress, the less evil. If I scape fire now, I defy the devil. Exit.