As appear'd
Like one that knew his fortune at the worst,
And car'd not what could follow.
_Viol_.
'Tis the better,
Reach me a Chair: so, bring him in, be careful
That none disturb us: I will try his temper,
And if I find him apt for my employments,
_Enter_ Jamie, Servant.
I'le work him to my ends; if not, I shall
Find other Engines.
_Ser_.
There's my Lady.
_Viol_.
Leave us.
_Jam_.
You sent for me?
_Viol_.
I did, and do's the favour,
Your present state considered and my power,
Deserve no greater Ceremony?
_Jam_.
Ceremonie?
I use to pay that where I owe a duty,
Not to my Brothers wife: I cannot fawn,
If you expect it from me, you are cozen'd,
And so farewel.
_Viol_.
He bears up still; I like it.
Pray you a word.
_Jam_.
Yes, I will give you hearing
On equal terms, and sit by you as a friend,
But not stand as a Sutor: Now your pleasure?
_Viol_.
You are very bold.
_Jam_.
'Tis fit: since you are proud,
I was not made to feed that foolish humour,
With flattery and observance.
_Viol_.
Yet, with your favour,
A little form joyn'd with respect to her,
That can add to your wants, or free you from 'em
(Nay raise you to a fate, beyond your hopes)
Might well become your wisdom.
_Jam_.
It would rather
Write me a Fool, should I but only think
That any good to me could flow from you,
Whom for so many years I have found and prov'd
My greatest Enemy: I am still the same,
My wants have not transform'd me: I dare tell you,
To your new cerus'd face, what I have spoken
Freely behind your back, what I think of you,
You are the proudest thing, and have the least
Reason to be so that I ever read of.
In stature you are a Giantess: and your Tailor
Takes measure of you with a Jacobs Staff,
Or he can never reach you, this by the way
For your large size: now, in a word or two,
To treat of your Complexion were decorum:
You are so far from fair, I doubt your Mother
Was too familiar with the _Moor_ that serv'd her,
Your Limbs and Features I pass briefly over,
As things not worth description; and come roundly
To your Soul, if you have any; for 'tis doubtful.
_Viol_. I laugh at this, proceed.
_Jam_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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