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To take a lady at advantage thus,

Set all her wrongs before her, and then tempt her.

VOTARIUS

[Aside] Heart, I grow fond myself! 'Twas well she waked me

Before the dead sleep of adultery took me;

'Twas stealing on me. Up, you honest thoughts,

And keep watch for your master! I must hence:

I do not like my health; 't 'as a strange relish.

Pray heav'n I plucked mine eyes back time enough!

I'll never see her more. I praised the garden,

But little thought a bed of snakes lay hid in't.

WIFE

[Aside] I know not how I am. I'll call my woman.--

Stay, for I fear thou'rt too far gone already.

VOTARIUS

[Aside] I'll see her but once more. Do thy worst, love;

Thou art too young, fond boy, to master me.--

I come to tell you, madam, and that plainly,

I'll see your face no more. Take 't how you please.

WIFE

You will not offer violence to me, sir,

In my lord's absence? What does that touch you

If I want comfort?

VOTARIUS

Will you take your answer?

WIFE

It is not honest in you to tempt woman;

When her distresses take away her strength,

How is she able to withstand her enemy?

VOTARIUS

I would fain leave your sight and I could possible.

WIFE

What is't to you, good sir, if I be pleased

To weep myself away, and run thus violently

Into the arms of death, and kiss destruction?

Does this concern you now?

VOTARIUS

Ay, marry, does it!

What serve these arms for but to pluck you back,

These lips but to prevent all other tasters

And keep that cup of nectar for themselves?

[Aside] Heart, I'm beguiled again! Forgive me, heav'n;

My lips have been naught with her. Sin's mere witchcraft.

Break all the engines of life's frame in pieces,

I will be master once, and whip the boy

Home to his mother's lap. Face, fare thee well.

Exit Votarius.

WIFE

Votarius? Sir? My friend? Thanks heav'n, he's gone,

And he shall never come so near again.

I'll have my frailty watched ever; henceforward

I'll no more trust it single; it betrays me

Into the hands of folly! Where's my woman?

Enter Leonella.

My trusty Leonella!

LEONELLA

Call you, madam?

WIFE

Call I; I want attendance. Where are you?

LEONELLA

Never far from you, madam.

WIFE

Pray be nearer,

Or there is some that will and thank you too;

Nay, perhaps bribe you to be absent from me.

LEONELLA

How, madam!

WIFE

Is that strange to a lady's woman?

There are such things i' th' world, many such buyers

And sellers of a woman's name and honour,

Though you be young in bribes, and never came

To the flesh market yet. Beshrew your heart

For keeping so long from me!

LEONELLA

What ail you, madam?

WIFE

Somewhat commands me, and takes all the power

Of myself from me.

LEONELLA

What should that be, lady?

WIFE

When did you see Votarius?

LEONELLA

[Aside] Is that next?

Nay, then, I have your ladyship in the wind.--

I saw him lately, madam.

WIFE

Whom didst see?

LEONELLA

Votarius.

WIFE

What have I to do with him

More than another man? Say he be fair,

And his parts proper both of mind and body,

You praise him but in vain in telling me so.

LEONELLA

[Aside] Yea, madam, are you prattling in your sleep?

'Tis well my lord and you lie in two beds.

WIFE

I was ne'er so ill. I thank you, Leonella,

My negligent woman! Here you showed your service.

LEONELLA

[Aside] Life, have I power or means to stop a sluice

At a high water? What would sh'ave me do in't?

WIFE

I charge thee, while thou liv'st with me, henceforward

Use not an hour's absence from my sight.

Exit [Wife].

LEONELLA

By my faith, madam, you shall pardon me.

I have a love of mine own to look to,

And he must have his breakfast. Pist! Bellarius!

Enter Bellarius muffled in his cloak.

BELLARIUS

Leonella?

LEONELLA

Come forth, and show yourself a gentleman,

Although most commonly they hide their heads

As you do there, methinks. And why a taffety muffler?

Show your face, man. I'm not ashamed on you.

BELLARIUS

I fear the servants.

LEONELLA

And they fear their mistress, and ne'er think on you.