_Lady._ Salute her? by this good light, I would not kiss her for half my
wealth.
_Elder Lo._ Why? why pray you?
You shall see me do't afore you; look you.
_Lady._ Now fie upon thee, a beast would not have don't.
I would not kiss thee of a month to gain a Kingdom.
_Elder Lo._ Marry you shall not be troubled.
_Lady._ Why was there ever such a _Meg_ as this?
Sure thou art mad.
_Elder Lo._ I was mad once, when I lov'd pictures; for what are shape and
colours else, but pictures? in that tawnie hide there lies an endless mass
of vertues, when all your red and white ones want it.
_Lady._ And this is she you are to marry, is't not?
_Elder Lo._ Yes indeed is't.
_Lady._ God give you joy.
_Elder Lo._ Amen.
_Wel._ I thank yo[u], as unknown for your good wish.
The like to you when ever you shall wed.
_Elder Lo._ O gentle Spirit!
_Lady._ You thank me? I pray
Keep your breath nearer you, I do not like it.
_Wel._ I would not willingly offend at all,
Much less a Lady of your worthie parts.
_Elder Lo._ Sweet, Sweet!
_La._ I do not think this woman can by nature be thus,
Thus ugly; sure she's some common Strumpet,
Deform'd with exercise of sin?
_Wel._ O Sir believe not this, for Heaven so comfort me as I am free from
foul pollution with any man; my honour ta'ne away, I am no woman.
_Elder Lo._ Arise my dearest Soul; I do not credit it. Alas, I fear her
tender heart will break with this reproach; fie that you know no more
civility to a weak Virgin. 'Tis no matter Sweet, let her say what she
will, thou art not worse to me, and therefore not at all; be careless.
_Wel._ For all things else I would, but for mine honor; Me thinks.
_Elder Lo._ Alas, thine honour is not stain'd,
Is this the business that you sent for me about?
_Mar._ Faith Sister you are much to blame, to use a woman, whatsoe're she
be, thus; I'le salute her: You are welcome hither.
_Wel._ I humbly thank you.
_Elder Lo._ Milde yet as the Dove, for all these injuries. Come shall we
goe, I love thee not so ill to keep thee here a jesting stock. Adue to the
worlds end.
_Lady._ Why whither now?
_Elder Lo._ Nay you shall never know, because you shall not find me.
_Lady._ I pray let me speak with you.
_Elder Lo._ 'Tis very well: come.
_Lady._ I pray you let me speak with you.
_Elder Lo._ Yes for another mock.
_Lady._ By Heaven I have no mocks: good Sir a word.
_Elder Lo._ Though you deserve not so much at my hands, yet if you be in
such earnest, I'le speak a word with you; but I beseech you be brief: for
in good faith there's a Parson and a licence stay for us i'th' Church all
this while: and you know 'tis night.
_Lady._ Sir, give me hearing patiently, and whatsoever I have heretofore
spoke jestingly, forget: for as I hope for mercy any where, what I shall
utter now is from my heart, and as I mean.
_Elder Lo._ Well, well, what do you mean?
_Lady._ Was not I once your Mistress, and you my Servant?
_Elder Lo._ O 'tis about the old matter.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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