[_Exit_ LEONELLA, _manet_ VOTARIUS. VOT. I do not like his company now, 'tis irksome: His eye offends me; methinks it is not kindly, We two should live together in one house; And 'tis impossible to remove me hence: I must not give way first, she is my mistress, And that's a degree kinder than a wife; Women are always better to their friends Than to their husbands, and more true to them; Then let the worst give place, whom she's least need on-- He that can best be spar'd--and that's her husband. I do not like his overboldness with her; He's too familiar with the face I love. I fear the sickness of affection; I feel a grudging on't: I shall grow jealous E'en of that pleasure which she has by law. I shall go so near with her;-- _Enter_ BELLARIUS, _passing over the stage_. Ha! what's he! 'Tis Bellarius, my rank enemy; Mine eye snatch'd so much sight of him. What's his business? His face half-darkened: stealing through the house With a whoremaster's pace--I like it not. This lady will be serv'd, like a great woman, With more attendants, I perceive, than one. She has her shift of friends--my enemy one! Do we both shun each other's company In all assemblies public, at all meetings, And drink to one another in one mistress? My very thought's my poison; 'tis high time To seek for help. Where is our head physician, A doctor of my making and that lecher's? O woman! when thou once leav'st to be good, Thou car'st not who stands next thee; every sin Is a companion for thee: for thy once-crack'd honesty Is like the breaking of whole money: It never comes to good, but wastes away. _Enter_ ANSELMUS. ANS. Votarius! VOT. Ha! ANS. We miss'd you, sir, within. VOT. I miss'd you more without. Would you had come sooner, sir! ANS. Why, what's the business I VOT. You should have seen a fellow, A common bawdy-house ferret, one Bellarius, Steal through this room, his whorish barren face Three quarters muffled: he is somewhere hid About the house, sir. ANS. Which way took the villain, That marriage felon--one that robs the mind Twenty times worse than any highway-striker, Speak, which way took he? VOT. Marry, my lord, I think,-- Let me see, which way wast now? up yon stairs-- ANS. The way to chamb'ring; did not I say still All thy temptations were too faint and lazy; Thou didst not play 'em home. VOT. To tell you true, sir, I found her yielding, 'ere I left her last, And wav'ring in her faith. ANS. Did not I think so? VOT. That makes me suspect him. ANS. Why, partial man, Couldst thou hide this from me, so dearly sought for, And rather waste thy pity upon her? Thou'rt not so kind as my heart prais'd thee to me. Hark!