DISSIMULATION. Indeed, Sir Peter is a good priest, but Doctor Hypocrisy is most ancient. But, Cousin Cogging, I pray you go to invite the guests, And tell them that they need not disturb their quietness: Desire them to come at dinner-time, and it shall suffice, Because I know they will be loth so early to rise. But at any hand will Doctor Hypocrisy, That he meet us at the church very early; For I would not have all the world to wonder at our match: It is an old proverb: 'Tis good having a hatch before the door, but I'll have a door before the hatch. COGGING. Sir, I will about it as fast as I can hie. I'll first to that scald bald-knave Doctor Hypocrisy. [_Aside_. [_Exit_ COGGING. SIMONY. But, fellow Dissimulation, how darest thou marry with Love, bearing no love at all? For thou dost nothing but dissemble: then thy love must needs be small. Thou canst not love but from the teeth forward. Sure the wife that marries thee shall highly be preferr'd. DISSIMULATION. Tush, tush! you are a merry man: I warrant you I know what I do, And can yield a good reason for it, I may say unto you. What, and if the world should change, and run all on her side, Then might I by her means still in good credit abide. Thou knowest Love is ancient, and lives peaceably without any strife; Then sure the people will think well of me, because she is my wife. SIMONY. Trust me, thou art as crafty, to have an eye to the main-chance. As the tailor, that out of seven yards stole one and a half of durance.[216] He served at that time the devil in the likeness of Saint Katherine: Such tailors will thrive, that out of a doublet and a pair of hose can steal their wife an apron. The doublet-sleeves three fingers were too short; The Venetians[217] came nothing near the knee. DISSIMULATION. Then, for to make them long enough, I pray thee what did he? SIMONY. Two pieces set an handful broad, to lengthen them withal; Yet for all that below the knee by no means they could fall: He, seeing that, desired the party to buy as much to make another pair: The party did: yet, for all that, he stole a quarter there. DISSIMULATION. Now, sure, I can him thank, he could his occupation. My fellow Fraud would laugh to hear one dress'd of such a fashion. But, fellow Simony, I thank you heartily, for comparing the tailor to me. As who should say his knavery and my policy did agree.[218] SIMONY. Not so; but I was the willinger to tell thee, because I know it to be a true tale; And to see how artificers do extol Fraud, by whom they bear their sale. But come, let us walk, and talk no more of this: Your policy was very good, and so, no doubt, was his. [_Exeunt_. _Enter_ MERCATORE _reading a letter to himself; and let_ GERONTUS _the Jew follow him, and speak as followeth_.