Act 1 — SCENE II.
Reading edition
A Street.
Enter Hellgill[976] and Country Wench.
Hell. Come, leave your puling and sighing.
Coun. W. Beshrew you now, why did you entice me from my father?
Hell. Why? to thy better advancement. Wouldst thou, a pretty, beautiful, juicy squall, live in a poor thrummed[977] house i’ th’ country, in such servile habiliments, and may well pass for a gentlewoman i’ th’ city? does not five hundred do so, thinkest thou, and with worse faces? O, now in these latter days, the devil reigning, ’tis an age for cloven creatures! But why sad now? yet indeed ’tis the fashion of any courtesan to be sea-sick i’ th’ first voyage; but at next she proclaims open wars, like a beaten soldier. Why, Northamptonshire lass, dost dream of virginity now? remember a loose-bodied gown,[978] wench, and let it go; wires 432and tires, bents and bums,[979] felts and falls, thou that shalt deceive the world, that gentlewomen indeed shall not be known from others. I have a master, to whom I must prefer thee after the aforesaid deckening; Lethe by name, a man of one most admired property; he can both love thee, and for thy better advancement, be thy pander himself; an excellent spark of humility.
Coun. W. Well, heaven forgive you! you train me up to’t.
Hell. Why, I do acknowledge it, and I think I do you a pleasure in’t.
Coun. W. And if I should prove a harlot now, I should be bound to curse you.
Hell. Bound? nay, and[980] you prove a harlot, you’ll be loose enough.
Coun. W. If I had not a desire to go like a gentlewoman, you should be hanged ere you should get me to’t, I warrant you.
Hell. Nay, that’s certain, nor a thousand more of you; I know you are all chaste enough till one thing or other tempt you: deny[981] a satin gown and[982] you dare now?
Coun. W. You know I have no power to do’t, and that makes you so wilful; for what woman is there such a beast that will deny any thing[983] that is good?
Hell. True; they will not, most[984] dissembler.
433Coun. W. No; and[985] she bear a brave mind, she will not, I warrant you.
Hell. Why, therefore take heart, faint not at all;
Women ne’er rise but when they fall:
Let a man break, he’s gone, blown up;
A woman’s breaking sets her up:
Virginity is no city trade,
You’re out a’ th’ freedom when you’re a maid:
Down with the lattice, ’tis but thin;
Let coarser beauties work within,
Whom the light mocks; thou art fair and fresh;
The gilded flies will light upon thy flesh.
Coun. W. Beshrew your sweet enchantments, you have won!
Hell. How easily soft women are undone!
So farewell wholesome weeds, where treasure pants;[986]
And welcome silks, where lie[987] disease and wants!
[Aside.
Come, wench; now flow thy fortunes in to bless thee;
I’ll bring thee where thou shalt be taught to dress thee.
Coun. W. O, as soon as may be! I am in a swoon till I be a gentlewoman; and you know what flesh is man’s meat till it be dressed?
Hell. Most certain, no more; a woman. [Exeunt.
434