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That are created sickly, nor of manhood.

We ought not to put blocks in women's ways,

For some too often fall upon plain ground.

Let me dissuade you, sir.

ANSELMUS

Have I a friend?

And has my love so little interest in him

That I must trust some stranger with my heart

And go to seek him out?

VOTARIUS

Nay, hark you, sir.

I am so jealous of your weakness

That, rather than you should lie prostituted

Before a stranger's triumph, I would venture

A whole hour's shaming for you.

ANSELMUS

Be worth thy word, then.

Enter Wife.

Yonder she comes. [Aside] I'll have an ear to you both.

I love to have such things at the first hand. [Retires.]

VOTARIUS

[Aside] I'll put him off with somewhat; guile in this

Falls in with honest dealing. Oh, who could move

Adultery to yon face? So rude a sin

May not come near the meekness of her eye.

My client's cause looks so dishonestly

I'll ne'er be seen to plead in't.

WIFE

What, Votarius!

VOTARIUS

Good morrow, virtuous madam.

WIFE

Was my lord

Seen lately here?

VOTARIUS

He's newly walked forth, lady.

WIFE

How was he attended?

VOTARIUS

Faith, I think with none, madam.

WIFE

That sorrow for the king his brother's fortune

Prevails too much with him, and leads him strangely

From company and delight.

VOTARIUS

[Aside] How she's beguiled in him!

There's no such natural touch, search all his bosom.--

That grief's too bold with him indeed, sweet madam,

And draws him from the pleasure of his time,

But 'tis a business of affection

That must be done. We owe a pity, madam,

To all men's misery, but especially

To those afflictions that claim kindred of us:

We're forced to feel 'em; all compassion else

Is but a work of charity, this, of nature,

And ties our pity in a bond of blood.

WIFE

Yet, sir, there is a date set to all sorrows.

Nothing is everlasting in this world.

Your counsel will prevail; persuade him, good sir,

To fall into life's happiness again

And leave the desolate path. I want his company.

He walks at midnight in thick shady woods

Where scarce the moon is starlight. I have watched him

In silver nights when all the earth was dressed

Up like a virgin in white innocent beams;

Stood in my window, cold and thinly clad,

T'observe him through the bounty of the moon

That liberally bestowed her graces on me.

And when the morning dew began to fall,

Then was my time to weep. H'as lost his kindness,

Forgot the way of wedlock, and become

A stranger to the joys and rites of love.

He's not so good as a lord ought to be;

Pray tell him so from me, sir.

VOTARIUS

That will I, madam.

Exit Wife.

Now must I dress a strange dish for his humour.

ANSELMUS

[Aside] Call you this courting? Life, not one word near it!

There was no syllable but was twelve score off.

My faith, hot temptation! Woman's chastity

In such a conflict had great need of one

To keep the bridge. 'Twas dangerous for the time.

Why, what fantastic faiths are in these days

Made without substance! Whom should a man trust

In matters about love?

[Comes forward.]

VOTARIUS

Mass, here he comes too!

ANSELMUS

How now, Votarius? What's the news for us?

VOTARIUS

You set me to a task, sir, that will find

Ten ages work enough, and then unfinished.

Bring sin before her? Why, it stands more quaking

Than if a judge should frown on't. Three such fits

Would shake it into goodness, and quite beggar

The under-kingdom. Not the art of man,

Woman, or devil--

ANSELMUS

Oh, peace, man! Prithee, peace!

VOTARIUS

Can make her fit for lust.

ANSELMUS

Yet again, sir?

Where lives that mistress of thine, Votarius,

That taught thee to dissemble? I'd fain learn.

She makes good scholars.

VOTARIUS

How, my lord!

ANSELMUS

Thou art the son of falsehood. Prithee leave me.

How truly constant, charitable, and helpful

Is woman unto woman in affairs

That touch affection and the peace of spirit,

But man to man how crooked and unkind!

I thank my jealousy I heard thee all,

For I heard nothing; now