_Lady._ Nay good Sir stay me out; I would but hear you excuse your self, why you should take this woman, and leave me. _Elder Lo._ Prethee why not, deserves she not as much as you? _Lady._ I think not, if you will look With an indifferency upon us both. _Elder Lo._ Upon your faces, 'tis true: but if judiciously we shall cast our eyes upon your minds, you are a thousand women of her in worth: she cannot swound in jest, nor set her lover tasks, to shew her peevishness, and his affection, nor cross what he saies, though it be Canonical. She's a good plain wench, that will do as I will have her, and bring me lusty Boys to throw the Sledge, and lift at Pigs of Lead: and for a Wife, she's far beyond you: what can you do in a houshold to provide for your issue, but lye i' bed and get 'em? your business is to dress you, and at idle hours to eat; when she can do a thousand profitable things: she can do pretty well in the Pastry, and knows how Pullen should be cram'd, she cuts Cambrick at a thread, weaves Bone-lace, and quilts Balls; and what are you good for? _Lady._ Admit it true, that she were far beyond me in all respects, does that give you a licence to forswear your self? _Elder Lo._ Forswear my self, how? _Lady._ Perhaps you have forgotten the innumerable oaths you have utter'd in disclaiming all for Wives but me: I'le not remember you: God give you joy. _Elder Lo._ Nay but conceive me, the intent of oaths is ever understood: Admit I should protest to such a friend, to see him at his Lodging to morrow: Divines would never hold me perjur'd if I were struck blind, or he hid him where my diligent search could not find him: so there were no cross act of mine own in't. Can it be imagined I mean to force you to Marriage, and to have you whether you will or no? _Lady._ Alas you need not. I make already tender of my self, and then you are forsworn. _Elder Lo._ Some sin I see indeed must necessarily fall upon me, as whosoever deals with Women shall never utterly avoid it: yet I would chuse the least ill; which is to forsake you, that have done me all the abuses of a malignant Woman, contemn'd my service, and would have held me prating about Marriage, till I had been past getting of Children: then her that hath forsaken her Family, and put her tender body in my hand, upon my word-- _Lady._ Which of us swore you first to? _Elder Lo._ Why to you. _Lady._ Which oath is to be kept then? _Elder Lo._ I prethee do not urge my sins unto me, Without I could amend 'em. _Lady._ Why you may by wedding me. _Elder Lo._ How will that satisfie my word to her? _Lady._ 'Tis not to be kept, and needs no satisfaction, 'Tis an error fit for repentance only. _Elder Lo._ Shall I live to wrong that tender hearted Virgin so? It may not be. _Lady._ Why may it not be? _Elder Lo._ I swear I would rather marry thee than her: but yet mine honesty? _Lady._ What honesty? 'Tis more preserv'd this way: Come, by this light, servant, thou shalt, I'le kiss thee on't.