Act 4 — Scene II.[1691]

Lady P. Where should this loose knight be, trow? Sure he ’s hous’d. Nan. Why, then he ’s fast. Lady P. Ay, he plays both[1692] with me. I pray you stay. This heat will do more harm To my complexion than his heart is worth. (I do not care to hinder, but to take him.)5 How it comes off! [Rubbing her cheeks.] 1 Wom. My master ’s yonder. Lady P. Where? 2 Wom. With a young gentleman. Lady P. That same ’s the party: In man’s apparel! Pray you, sir, jog my knight: I will be tender to his reputation, However he demerit. Sir P. [seeing her] My lady! Per. Where?10 Sir P. ’T is she indeed, sir; you shall know her. She is, Were she not mine, a lady of that merit, For fashion and behaviour; and for beauty I durst compare—— Per. It seems you are not jealous, That dare commend her. Sir P. Nay, and for discourse——15 Per. Being your wife, she cannot miss that. Sir. P. [introducing Per.] Madam, Here is a gentleman, pray you, use him fairly; He seems a youth, but he is—— Lady P. None. Sir P. Yes one Has put his face as soon into the world—— Lady P. You mean, as early? But to-day? Sir P. How ’s this?20 Lady P. Why, in this habit, sir; you apprehend me. Well, Master Would-be, this doth not become you; I had thought the odour, sir, of your good name Had been more precious to you; that you would not Have done this dire massacre on your honour; One of your gravity, and rank besides!26 But knights, I see, care little for the oath They make to ladies; chiefly their own ladies. Sir P. Now, by my spurs, the symbol of my knighthood—— Per. [Aside.] Lord, how his brain is humbl’d for an oath!30 Sir P. I reach[1693] you not. Lady P. Right, sir, your polity May bear it through thus. Sir, a word with you. [To Per.] I would be loth to contest publicly With any gentlewoman, or to seem Froward, or violent, as the courtier says;35 It comes too near rusticity in a lady, Which I would shun by all means: and however I may deserve from Master Would-be, yet T’ have one fair gentlewoman thus be made The unkind instrument to wrong another,40 And one she knows not, ay, and to perséver; In my poor judgment, is not warranted From being a solecism in our sex, If not in manners. Per. How is this! Sir P. Sweet madam, Come nearer to your aim. Lady P. Marry, and will, sir.45 Since you provoke me with your impudence, And laughter of your light land-syren here, Your Sporus, your hermaphrodite—— Per. What ’s here? Poetic fury and historic storms!49 Sir P. The gentleman, believe it, is of worth And of our nation. Lady P. Ay, your Whitefriars nation.[1694] Come, I blush for you. Master Would-be, I; And am asham’d you should ha’ no more fore-head Than thus to be the patron, or St. George, To a lewd harlot, a base fricatrice,[1695]55 A female devil, in a male outside. Sir P. Nay, An you be such a one, I must bid adieu To your delights. The case appears too liquid. [Exit.] Lady P. Ay, you may carry ’t clear, with you state-face! But for your carnival concupiscence,60 Who here is fled for liberty of conscience, From furious persecution of the marshal, Her will I disc’ple.[1696] Per. This is fine, i’ faith! And do you use this often? Is this part Of your wit’s exercise, ’gainst you have occasion?65 Madam—— Lady P. Go to, sir. Per. Do you hear me, lady? Why, if your knight have set you to beg shirts, Or to invite me home, you might have done it A nearer way by far. Lady P. This cannot work you Out of my snare. Per. Why, am I in it, then?70 Indeed your husband told me you were fair, And so you are; only your nose inclines, That side that ’s next the sun, to the queen-apple.[1697] Lady P. This cannot be endur’d by any patience.