VEN. This Indian devil Will quickly enter any man but a usurer; He prevents that by entering the devil first. LUS. Attend me. I am past my depth in lust, And I must swim or drown. All my desires Are levell'd at a virgin not far from court, To whom I have convey'd by messenger Many wax'd lines, full of my neatest spirit, And jewels that were able to ravish her Without the help of man; all which and more She (foolish chaste) sent back, the messengers Receiving frowns for answers. VEN. Possible! 'Tis a rare Phoenix, whoe'er she be. If your desires be such, she so repugnant, In troth, my lord, I'd be reveng'd, and marry her. LUS. Pish! the dowry of her blood and of her fortunes Are both too mean--good enough to be bad withal. I'm one of that number can defend Marriage as good;[28] yet rather keep a friend. Give me my bed by stealth--there's true delight; What breeds a loathing in't, but night by night! VEN. A very fine religion! LUS. Therefore, thus I'll trust thee in the business of my heart; Because I see thee well-experienc'd In this luxurious day, wherein we breathe. Go thou, and with a smooth, enchanting tongue Bewitch her ears, and cosen her of all grace: Enter upon the portico[29] of her soul-- Her honour, which she calls her chastity, And bring it into expense; for honesty Is like a stock of money laid to sleep Which, ne'er so little broke, does never keep. VEN. You have gi'n 't the tang, i' faith, my lord: Make known the lady to me, and my brain Shall swell with strange invention: I will move it, Till I expire with speaking, and drop down Without a word to save me--but I'll work---- LUS. We thank thee, and will raise thee-- Receive her name; it is the only daughter to Madam Gratiana, the late widow. VEN. O my sister, my sister! [_Aside._ LUS. Why dost walk aside? VEN. My lord, I was thinking how I might begin: As thus, O lady--or twenty hundred devices-- Her very bodkin will put a man in. LUS. Ay, or the wagging of her hair. VEN. No, that shall put you in, my lord. LUS. Shall't? why, content. Dost know the daughter, then? VEN. O, excellent well by sight. LUS. That was her brother, That did prefer thee to us. VEN. My lord, I think so; I knew I had seen him somewhere---- LUS. And therefore, prythee, let thy heart to him Be (as a virgin) close. VEN. O my good lord. LUS. We may laugh at that simple age within him. VEN. Ha, ha, ha! LUS. Himself being made the subtle instrument, To wind up a good fellow. VEN. That's I, my lord. LUS. That's thou, To entice and work his sister. VEN. A pure novice! LUS. 'Twas finely manag'd. VEN. Gallantly carried! A pretty perfum'd villain!