SPU. I' faith, 'tis true: I'm an uncertain man Of more uncertain woman. Maybe, his groom O' th' stable begot me; you know I know not; He could ride a horse well, a shrewd suspicion, marry!-- He was wondrous tall: he had his length, i' faith; For peeping over half-shut holyday windows, Men would desire him light, when he was afoot. He made a goodly show under a pent-house; And when he rid, his hat would check the signs, And clatter barbers' basons. DUCH. Nay, set you a-horseback once, You'll ne'er light off.[21] SPU. Indeed, I am a beggar. DUCH. That's the more sign thou'rt great.-- But to our love: Let it stand firm both in thy thought and mind, That the duke was thy father, as no doubt He bid fair for't---thy injury is the more; For had he cut thee a right diamond, Thou had'st been next set in the dukedom's ring, When his worn self, like age's easy slave, Had dropp'd out of the collet[22] into th' grave. What wrong can equal this? canst thou be tame, And think upon't? SPU. No, mad, and think upon't. DUCH. Who would not be reveng'd of such a father, E'en in the worst way? I would thank that sin, That could most injure him, and be in league with it. O, what a grief 'tis that a man should live But once i' th' world, and then to live a bastard! The curse o' the womb, the thief of nature, Begot against the seventh commandment, Half-damn'd in the conception by the justice Of that unbribed, everlasting law. SPU. O, I'd a hot-back'd devil to my father. DUCH. Would not this mad e'en patience, make blood rough? Who but an eunuch would not sin? his bed, By one false minute disinherited. SPU. Ay, there's the vengeance that my birth was wrapp'd in! I'll be reveng'd for all: now, hate, begin; I'll call foul incest but a venial sin. DUCH. Cold still! in vain then must a duchess woo? SPU. Madam, I blush to say what I will do. DUCH. Thence flew sweet comfort. Earnest, and farewell. [_Kisses him._ SPU. O, one incestuous kiss picks open hell. DUCH. Faith now, old duke, my vengeance shall reach high, I'll arm thy brow with woman's heraldry. [_Exit._