VEN. Ay, the duke's chamber! But 'tis a marvel thou'rt not turn'd out yet! HIP. Faith, I've been shov'd at; but 'twas still my hap To hold by th' duchess' skirt: you guess at that: Whom such a coat keeps up, can ne'er fall flat. But to the purpose-- Last evening, predecessor unto this, The duke's son warily inquir'd for me, Whose pleasure I attended: he began By policy to open and unhusk me About the fame[11] and common rumour: But I had so much wit to keep my thoughts Up in their built houses; yet afforded him An idle satisfaction without danger. But the whole aim and scope of his intent Ended in this: conjuring me in private To seek some strange-digested fellow forth, Of ill-contented nature; either disgrac'd In former times, or by new grooms displac'd, Since his step-mother's nuptials; such a blood, A man that were for evil only good-- To give you the true word, some base-coin'd pander. VEN. I reach you; for I know his heat is such, Were there as many concubines as ladies, He would not be contain'd; he must fly out. I wonder how ill-featur'd, vile-proportion'd, That one should be, if she were made for woman Whom, at the insurrection of his lust, He would refuse for once. Heart! I think none. Next to a skull, though more unsound than one, Each face he meets he strongly doats upon. HIP. Brother, y' have truly spoke him. He knows not you, but I will swear you know him. VEN. And therefore I'll put on that knave for once, And be a right man then, a man o' th' time; For to be honest is not to be i' th' world. Brother, I'll be that strange-composed fellow. HIP. And I'll prefer you, brother. VEN. Go to, then: The smallest advantage fattens wronged men: It may point out occasion, if I meet her, I'll hold her by the foretop fast enough; Or, like the French Mole,[12] heave up hair and all. I have a habit that will fit it quaintly. Here comes our mother. HIP. And sister. VEN. We must coin: Women are apt, you know, to take false money; But I dare stake my soul for these two creatures, Only excuse excepted, that they'll swallow, Because their sex is easy in belief. _Enter_ GRATIANA _and_ CASTIZA. GRA. What news from court, son Carlo? HIP. Faith, mother, Tis whisper'd there the duchess' youngest son Has play'd a rape on Lord Antonio's wife. GRA. On that religious lady! CAS. Royal blood! monster, he deserves to die, If Italy had no more hopes but he. VEN. Sister, y'have sentenc'd most direct and true, The law's a woman, and would she were you. Mother, I must take leave of you. GRA. Leave! for what? VEN. I intend speedy travel. HIP. That he does, madam. GRA. Speedy indeed!