The Scornful Lady | Page 2

all the world, and you your self can see.
Lady. It's a cold room this, Servant.
El. Lo. Mistris.
La. What think you if I have a Chimney for't, out here?
El. Lo. Mistris, another in my place, that were not tyed to believe all your actions just, would apprehend himself wrong'd: But I whose vertues are constancy and obedience.
La. Younglove, make a good fire above to warm me after my servants Exordiums.
El. Lo. I have heard and seen your affability to be such, that the servants you give wages to may speak.
La. 'Tis true, 'tis true; but they speak to th' purpose.
El. Lo. Mistris, your will leads my speeches from the purpose. But as a man--
La. A Simile servant? This room was built for honest meaners, that deliver themselves hastily and plainly, and are gone. Is this a time or place for Exordiums, and Similes and Metaphors? If you have ought to say, break into't: my answers shall very reasonably meet you.
El. Lo. Mistris I came to see you.
La. That's happily dispatcht, the next.
El. Lo. To take leave of you.
La. To be gone?
El. Lo. Yes.
La. You need not have despair'd of that, nor have us'd so many circumstances to win me to give you leave to perform my command; is there a third?
El. Lo. Yes, I had a third had you been apt to hear it.
La. I? Never apter. Fast (good servant) fast.
El. Lo. 'Twas to intreat you to hear reason.
La. Most willingly, have you brought one can speak it?
El. Lo. Lastly, it is to kindle in that barren heart love and forgiveness.
La. You would stay at home?
El. Lo. Yes Lady.
La. Why you may, and doubtlesly will, when you have debated that your commander is but your Mistris, a woman, a weak one, wildly overborn with passions: but the thing by her commanded, is to see Dovers dreadful cliffe, passing in a poor Water-house; the dangers of the merciless Channel 'twixt that and Callis, five long hours sail, with three poor weeks victuals.
El. Lo. You wrong me.
La. Then to land dumb, unable to enquire for an English hoast, to remove from City to City, by most chargeable Post-horse, like one that rode in quest of his Mother tongue.
El. Lo. You wrong me much.
La. And all these (almost invincible labours) performed for your Mistris, to be in danger to forsake her, and to put on new allegeance to some French Lady, who is content to change language with your laughter, and after your whole year spent in Tennis and broken speech, to stand to the hazard of being laught at, at your return, and have tales made on you by the Chamber-maids.
El. Lo. You wrong me much.
La. Louder yet.
El. Lo. You know your least word is of force to make me seek out dangers, move me not with toyes: but in this banishment, I must take leave to say, you are unjust: was one kiss forc't from you in publick by me so unpardonable? Why all the hours of day and night have seen us kiss.
La. 'Tis true, and so you told the company that heard me chide.
Elder Lov. Your own eyes were not dearer to you than I.
Lady. And so you told 'em.
Elder Lo. I did, yet no sign of disgrace need to have stain'd your cheek: you your self knew your pure and simple heart to be most unspotted, and free from the least baseness.
Lady. I did: But if a Maids heart doth but once think that she is suspected, her own face will write her guilty.
Elder Lo. But where lay this disgrace? The world that knew us, knew our resolutions well: And could it be hop'd that I should give away my freedom; and venture a perpetual bondage with one I never kist? or could I in strict wisdom take too much love upon me, from her that chose me for her Husband?
Lady. Believe me; if my Wedding-smock were on, Were the Gloves bought and given, the Licence come, Were the Rosemary-branches dipt, and all The Hipochrist and Cakes eat and drunk off, Were these two armes incompast with the hands Of Bachelors to lead me to the Church, Were my feet in the door, were I John, said, If John should boast a favour done by me, I would not wed that year: And you I hope, When you have spent this year commodiously, In atchieving Languages, will at your return Acknowledge me more coy of parting with mine eyes, Than such a friend: More talk I hold not now If you dare go.
Elder Lo. I dare, you know: First let me kiss.
Lady. Farewel sweet Servant, your task perform'd, On a new ground as a beginning Sutor, I shall be apt to hear you.
Elder Lo. Farewel cruel Mistres. [Exit Lady.
Enter Young Loveless, and Savil.
Young Lo. Brother you'l hazard the losing