SUB. O most sweet friend, the world's so vicious, That had I with such familiarity Frequented you, since you were married, Possess'd and us'd your fortunes as before, As in like manner you commanded mine, The deprav'd thoughts of men would have proclaim'd Some scandalous rumours from this love of ours, As saying mine reflected on your lady; And what a wound had that been to our souls, When only friendship should have been the ground To hurt her honour and your confident peace, Spite of mine own approv'd integrity? HUS. Wife, kiss him, bid him welcome: pox o' th' world! Come, come, you shall not part from me in haste. I do command thee use this gentleman In all things like myself: if I should die, I would bequeath him in my will to thee.[83] WIFE. Sir, you are most welcome, and let scandalous tongues No more deter you: I dare use you, sir, With all the right belonging to a friend, And what I dare, I dare let all men see. My conscience, rather than men's thoughts, be free. HUS. Will you look in? We'll follow you. [_Exit_ WIFE. Now, friend, What think you of this lady? SUB. Why, sweet friend, That you are happy in her: she is fair, Witty, and virtuous, and was rich to you. Can there be an addition to a wife? HUS. Yes, constancy; for 'tis not chastity That lives remote, from all attempters free, But there 'tis strong and pure, where all that woo It doth resist,[84] and turns them virtuous too. Therefore, dear friend, by this, love's masculine kiss, By all our mutual engagements pass'd, By all the hopes of amity to come, Be you the settler of my jealous thoughts, And make me kill my fond suspect of her By assurance that she is loyal, otherwise That she is false; and then, as she's past cure, My soul shall ever after be past care. That you are fittest for this enterprise, You must needs understand; since, prove she true In this your trial, you (my dearest friend). Whom only rather than the world besides, I would have satisfied of her virtue, shall see[85] And best conceal my folly. Prove she weak, 'Tis better you should know't than any man, Who can reform her, and do me no wrong. Chemical metals, and bright gold itself, By sight are not distinguish'd, but by th' test: Thought makes good wives, but trial makes the best. To the unskilful owner's eyes alike The Bristow sparkles as the diamond,[86] But by a lapidary the truth is found-- Come, you shall not deny me.