VEN. O, think upon the pleasure of the palace! Secured ease and state! the stirring meats, Ready to move out of the dishes, that e'en now Quicken when they are eaten! Banquets abroad by torchlight! music! sports! Bareheaded vassals, that had ne'er the fortune To keep on their own hats, but let horns[44] wear 'em! Nine coaches waiting--hurry, hurry, hurry---- CAS. Ay, to the devil. VEN. Ay, to the devil! [_Aside._] To the duke, by my faith. GRA. Ay, to the duke: daughter, you'd scorn to think o' the devil, and you were there once. VEN. True, for most there are as proud as he for his heart, i' faith. [_Aside._ Who'd sit at home in a neglected room, Dealing her short-liv'd beauty to the pictures, That are as useless as old men, when those Poorer in face and fortune than herself Walk with a hundred acres on their backs,[45] Fair meadows cut into green foreparts? O, It was the greatest blessing ever happen'd to women: When farmers' sons agreed to mete their gain,[46] To wash their hands, and come up gentlemen! The commonwealth has flourished ever since: Lands that were mete[47] by the rod, that labour's spar'd: Tailors ride down, and measure 'em by the yard. Fair trees, those comely foretops of the field, Are cut to maintain head-tires--much untold-- All thrives but chastity; she lies a-cold. Nay, shall I come nearer to you? mark but this: Why are there so few honest women, but because tis the poorer profession? that's accounted best that's best followed; least in trade, least in fashion; and that's not honesty, believe it; and do but note the love and dejected price of it-- _Lose but a pearl, we search, and cannot brook it:_ _But that,[48] once gone, who is so mad to look it?_ GRA. Troth, he says true. CAS. False! I defy you both: I have endur'd you with an ear of fire; Your tongues have struck hot irons on my face. Mother, come from that poisonous woman there.[49] GRA. Where? CAS. Do you not see her? she's too inward,[50] then: Slave, perish in thy office! you heavens, please Henceforth to make the mother a disease, Which first begins with me: yet I've outgone you. [_Exit._ VEN. O angels, clap your wings upon the skies, And give this virgin crystal plaudites! GRA. Peevish, coy, foolish!--but return this answer, My lord shall be most welcome, when his pleasure Conducts him this way. I will sway mine own: Women with women can work best alone. [_Exit._