WILD. But that needs not, for we know by your discourse last night and this morning, we are men you have no aversion to; and I believe, if we had taken time, and wooed hard, this would have come o' course; but we had rather win you by wit, because you defied us. WID. 'Tis very well, if it succeed. CARE. And, for my part, but for the jest of winning you, and this way, not ten jointures should have made me marry. WID. This is a new way of wooing. CARE. 'Tis so, madam; but we have not laid our plot so weakly, though it were sudden, to leave it in anybody's power but our own to hinder it. PLEA. Do you think so? WILD. We are secure enough, if we can be true to ourselves. CARE. Yet we submit in the midst of our strength, and beg you will not wifully spoil a good jest by refusing us. By this hand, we are both sound, and we'll be strangely honest, and never in ill humours; but live as merry as the maids, and divide the year between the town and the country. What say you, is't a match? Your bed is big enough for two, and my meat will not cost you much: I'll promise nothing but one heart, one purse betwixt us, and a whole dozen of boys. Is't a bargain? WID. Not if I can hinder it, as I live. WILD. Faith, Mistress Pleasant, he hath spoken nothing but reason, and I'll do my best to make it good: come, faith, teach my aunt what to do, and let me strike the bargain upon your lips. PLEA. No, sir, not to be half a queen; if we should yield now, your wit would domineer for ever: and still in all disputes (though never so much reason on our side) this shall be urged as an argument of your master-wit to confute us. I am of your aunt's mind, sir, and, if I can hinder it, it shall be no match. WILD. Why, then know it is not in your powers to prevent it. WID. Why? we are not married yet. CARE. No, 'tis true. Wid. By this good light, then, I'll be dumb for ever hereafter, lest I light upon the words of marriage by chance. PLEA. 'Tis hard, when our own acts cannot be in our own power, gentlemen. WILD. The plot is only known to four: the minister, and two that stood for fathers, and a simple country maid that waited upon you last night, which plays your chambermaid's part. PLEA. And what will all these do? WILD. Why, the two friends will swear they gave you, the parson will swear he married you, and the wench will swear she put us to bed. WID. Have you men to swear we are married? PLEA. And a parson to swear he did it? BOTH. Yes. WID. And a wench that will swear she put us to bed? BOTH. Yes, by this good light, and witness of reputation. PLEA. Dare they or you look us in the face, and swear this? CARE. Yes, faith; and all but those four know no other but really it is so; and you may deny it, but I'll make master constable put you to bed, with this proof, at night. WID. Pray, let's see these witnesses. WILD. Call in the four only. [_Exit_ CARELESS.