Mar. They shall be welcome; See all be ready in the noblest fashion. ye, Be sure you be not seen. Dine with the gentlewo men, And behave yourself handsome, sir, 'tis for my credit. Enter ISABel. Isab. Madam, the Lady Julia A three pil'd bawd; bawd-major to the army. And to be inform'd if you will take the air this morn ing. Leon. The neat air of her nunnery. Mar. Tell her no, i'th' afternoon I'll call on her. Isab. I will, madam. [Exit. Mar. Why, are you not gone sir, as I bade you? Leon. Faith madam, in my little understanding. You'd better entertain your honest neighbours, Your friends about ye, that may speak well of ye, And give a worthy mention of your bounty. Mar. How now, what's this? Leon. "Tis only to persuade ye: Courtiers are tickle things to deal withal, A kind of march-pane men that will not last, madam; Will play his prize above their strong potables. Leon. He that shall counsel ladies, That have both liquorish and ambitious eyes, My indiscretion has made me bold to tell ye Mar. Thou dar'st not talk. Leon. Not much, madam, You have a tie upon your servant's tongue, "Twere fit there were a stronger on your temper. Ne'er look so stern upon me, I'm your husband, But what are husbands? Read the new world's wonders, Such husbands as this monstrous world produces, To rent out wantonness. Mar. Do you hear him talk. Leon. I've done, madam, An ox once spoke, as learned men deliver. "Till when I tie myself to my obedience. [Exit. Mar. First I'll untie myself; did you mark the gentleman, How boldly and how saucily he talk'd: And how unlike the lump I took him for? This was your providence, Your wisdom to elect this gentleman, Your excellent forecast in the man, your knowledge, What think ye now? Alt. I think him an ass still, This boldness some of your people have blown into him, This wisdom too with strong wine, 'tis a tyrant, And a philosopher also, and finds out reasons. Mar. I'll have my cellar lock'd, no school kept there, Nor no discovery. I'll turn my drunkards, Such as are understanding in their draughts, Sober or drunk, still fools, that shall know nothing, And such an hand I'll keep over this husband. Enter LEON. Leon. Shall I wear my new suit, madam? And get you into the country presently, And see my hawks well train'd, you shall have victuals, Such as are fit for saucy palates, sir, And lodgings with the hinds, it is too good too. ance. Alt. You see how he's come round again. Mar. I see not what I expect to see. Leon. You shall see, madam, if it please your lady ship. Alt. He's humbled; Forgive, good lady. Mar. Well, go get you handsome, And let me hear no more. Leon. Have ye no feeling? [Aside. I'll pinch you to the bones then, my proud lady. [Exit. Mar. See you preserve him thus upon my favour: You know his temper, tie him to the grindstone; The next rebellion I'll be rid of him; I'll have no needy rascals, I tie to me, Dispute my life: come in and see all handsome. Alt. I hope to see you so too, I've wrought ill else. [Aside. Exeunt. Never return to my own house again? Estif. [Within.] I'm going presently. I'm like the people that live in the sweet islands: With laziness, and living under the line here, Like frogs, or winds between two doors that murmur. Mercy deliver me! O, are you come, wife, And you shall presently to your own house, sir. By that time you have said your orisons, And broke your fast, I shall be back and ready But one another, like a race of cannibals? Estif. Not a pin, I warrant ye. Per. And let them instantly depart. (There's reason in all courtesies) For by this time I know she has acquainted him, Per. I will walk i'the churchyard, The dead cannot offend more than these living. Estif. I'll not fail, sir. Per. And, do you hear, let's have a handsome dinner, And, see all things be decent as they have been, E |