_Qu._ Nay, hark you, sir; what nurses, what midwives, what fools, what physicians, what cunning women must be sought for (fearing sometimes she is bewitched, sometimes in a consumption), to tell her tales, to talk bawdy to her, to make her laugh, to give her glisters, to let her blood under the tongue and betwixt the toes; how she will revile and kiss you, spit in your face, and lick it off again; how she will vaunt you are her creature; she made you of nothing; how she could have had thousand mark jointures; she could have been made a lady by a Scotch knight, and never ha' married him; she could have had ponados[52] in her bed every morning; how she set you up, and how she will pull you down: you'll never be able to stand of your legs to endure it. 301
_Pe._ Out of my fortune, what a death is my life bound face to face to! The best is, a large time-fitted conscience is bound to nothing: marriage is but a form in the school of policy, to which scholars sit fastened only with painted chains. Old Security's young wife is ne'er the further off with me.
_Qu._ Thereby lies a tale, sir. The old usurer will be here instantly, with my punk Sindefy, whom you know your lady has promised me to entertain for her gentlewoman; and he (with a purpose to feed on you) invites you most solemnly by me to supper. 312
_Pe._ It falls out excellently fitly: I see desire of gain makes jealousy venturous.
See, Frank, here comes my lady. Lord! how she views thee! she knows thee not, I think, in this bravery.
_Qu._ One Master Francis Quicksilver, an't please your ladyship.
_Ge._ God's my dignity! as I am a lady, if he did not make me blush so that mine eyes stood a-water. Would I were unmarried again! 322
_Qu._ See, madam, she now comes to attend you.
_Sec._ God save my honourable knight and his worshipful lady.
_Ge._ Y'are very welcome; you must not put on your hat yet.
_Sec._ No, madam; till I know your ladyship's further pleasure, I will not presume.
_Ge._ And is this a gentleman's daughter new come out of the country? 332
_Sec._ She is, madam; and one that her father hath a special care to bestow in some honourable lady's service, to put her out of her honest humours, forsooth; for she had a great desire to be a nun, an't please you.