WID. Pish! I regard not at a straw the world. Fame from the tongues of men doth injury Oft'ner than justice; and as conscience Only makes guilty persons, not report, (For show we clear as springs unto the world, If our own knowledge do not make us so, That is no satisfaction to ourselves), So stand we ne'er so leprous to men's eye, It cannot hurt heart-known integrity. You have trusted to that fond opinion, This is the way to have a widowhood, By getting to her bed.[114] Alas! young man, Shouldst thou thyself tell thy companions Thou hast dishonour'd me (as you men have tongues Forked and venom'd 'gainst our subject sex); It should not move me, that know 'tis not so: Therefore depart. Truth be my virtuous shield. BOLD. Few widows would do thus. WID. All modest would. BOLD. To be in bed, and in possession Even of the mark I aim'd at, and go off Foil'd and disgrac'd! Come, come, you'll laugh at me Behind my back; publish I wanted spirit, And mock me to the ladies; call me child, Say you denied me but to try the heat And zeal of my affection toward you, Then clapp'd up with a rhyme; as for example-- _He coldly loves retires for one vain trial, For we are yielding when we make denial._ WID. Servant, I make no question, from this time You'll hold a more reverent opinion Of some that wear long coats; and 'tis my pride To assure you that there are amongst us good, And with this continency. If you go away, I'll be so far from thinking it defect, That I will hold you worthiest of men. BOLD. 'Sheart! I am Tantalus: my long'd-for fruit Bobs at my lips, yet still it shrinks from me. Have not I that, which men say never fails To o'ercome any, opportunity?[115] Come, come; I am too cold in my assault. By all the virtues that yet ever were In man or woman, I with reverence Do love thee, lady, but will be no fool To let occasion slip her foretop from me. WID. You will fail this way too. Upon my knees I do desire thee to preserve thy virtues, And with my tears my honour: 'tis as bad To lose our worths to them, or to deceive Who have held worthy opinions of us, As to betray trust. All this I implore For thine own sake, not mine: as for myself, If thou be'st violent, by this stupid night And all the mischiefs her dark womb hath bred, I'll raise the house; I'll cry a rape. BOLD. I hope You will not hang me: that were murder, lady, A greater sin than lying with me, sure. WID. Come, flatter not yourself with argument. I will exclaim: the law hangs you, not I; Or if I did, I had rather far confound The dearest body in the world to me, Than that that body should confound my soul.