BELL. He’s of another opinion, and says I do the drudgery in the mine.
Well, we have each our share of sport, and each that which he likes best;
’tis his diversion to set, ’tis mine to cover the partridge.
HEART. And it should be mine to let ’em go again.
SHARP. Not till you had mouthed a little, George. I think that’s all
thou art fit for now.
HEART. Good Mr. Young-Fellow, you’re mistaken; as able as yourself, and
as nimble, too, though I mayn’t have so much mercury in my limbs; ’tis
true, indeed, I don’t force appetite, but wait the natural call of my
lust, and think it time enough to be lewd after I have had the
temptation.
BELL. Time enough, ay, too soon, I should rather have expected, from a
person of your gravity.
HEART. Yet it is oftentimes too late with some of you young, termagant,
flashy sinners—you have all the guilt of the intention, and none of the
pleasure of the practice—’tis true you are so eager in pursuit of the
temptation, that you save the devil the trouble of leading you into it.
Nor is it out of discretion that you don’t swallow that very hook
yourselves have baited, but you are cloyed with the preparative, and what
you mean for a whet, turns the edge of your puny stomachs. Your love is
like your courage, which you show for the first year or two upon all
occasions; till in a little time, being disabled or disarmed, you abate
of your vigour; and that daring blade which was so often drawn, is bound
to the peace for ever after.
BELL. Thou art an old fornicator of a singular good principle indeed,
and art for encouraging youth, that they may be as wicked as thou art at
thy years.
HEART. I am for having everybody be what they pretend to be: a
whoremaster be a whoremaster, and not like Vainlove, kiss a lap-dog with
passion, when it would disgust him from the lady’s own lips.
BELL. That only happens sometimes, where the dog has the sweeter breath,
for the more cleanly conveyance. But, George, you must not quarrel with
little gallantries of this nature: women are often won by ’em. Who would
refuse to kiss a lap-dog, if it were preliminary to the lips of his lady?
SHARP. Or omit playing with her fan, and cooling her if she were hot,
when it might entitle him to the office of warming her when she should be
cold?
BELL. What is it to read a play in a rainy day? Though you should be
now and then interrupted in a witty scene, and she perhaps preserve her
laughter, till the jest were over; even that may be borne with,
considering the reward in prospect.
HEART. I confess you that are women’s asses bear greater burdens: are
forced to undergo dressing, dancing, singing, sighing, whining, rhyming,
flattering, lying, grinning, cringing, and the drudgery of loving to
boot.
BELL. O brute, the drudgery of loving!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account