_El. Lo._ Lastly, it is to kindle in that barren heart love and
forgiveness.
_La._ You would stay at home?
_El. Lo._ Yes Lady.
_La._ Why you may, and doubtlesly will, when you have debated that your
commander is but your Mistris, a woman, a weak one, wildly overborn with
passions: but the thing by her commanded, is to see _Dovers_ dreadful
cliffe, passing in a poor Water-house; the dangers of the merciless
Channel 'twixt that and _Callis_, five long hours sail, with three poor
weeks victuals.
_El. Lo._ You wrong me.
_La._ Then to land dumb, unable to enquire for an English hoast, to remove
from City to City, by most chargeable Post-horse, like one that rode in
quest of his Mother tongue.
_El. Lo._ You wrong me much.
_La._ And all these (almost invincible labours) performed for your
Mistris, to be in danger to forsake her, and to put on new allegeance to
some _French_ Lady, who is content to change language with your laughter,
and after your whole year spent in Tennis and broken speech, to stand to
the hazard of being laught at, at your return, and have tales made on you
by the Chamber-maids.
_El. Lo._ You wrong me much.
_La._ Louder yet.
_El. Lo._ You know your least word is of force to make me seek out
dangers, move me not with toyes: but in this banishment, I must take leave
to say, you are unjust: was one kiss forc't from you in publick by me so
unpardonable? Why all the hours of day and night have seen us kiss.
_La._ 'Tis true, and so you told the company that heard me chide.
_Elder Lov._ Your own eyes were not dearer to you than I.
_Lady._ And so you told 'em.
_Elder Lo._ I did, yet no sign of disgrace need to have stain'd your
cheek: you your self knew your pure and simple heart to be most unspotted,
and free from the least baseness.
_Lady._ I did: But if a Maids heart doth but once think that she is
suspected, her own face will write her guilty.
_Elder Lo._ But where lay this disgrace? The world that knew us, knew our
resolutions well: And could it be hop'd that I should give away my
freedom; and venture a perpetual bondage with one I never kist? or could I
in strict wisdom take too much love upon me, from her that chose me for
her Husband?
_Lady._ Believe me; if my Wedding-smock were on,
Were the Gloves bought and given, the Licence come,
Were the Rosemary-branches dipt, and all
The Hipochrist and Cakes eat and drunk off,
Were these two armes incompast with the hands
Of Bachelors to lead me to the Church,
Were my feet in the door, were I _John_, said,
If _John_ should boast a favour done by me,
I would not wed that year: And you I hope,
When you have spent this year commodiously,
In atchieving Languages, will at your return
Acknowledge me more coy of parting with mine eyes,
Than such a friend: More talk I hold not now
If you dare go.
_Elder Lo._ I dare, you know: First let me kiss.
_Lady._ Farewel sweet Servant, your task perform'd,
On a new ground as a beginning Sutor,
I shall be apt to hear you.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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