_Asca._ You may begin with me, sister, as Milo did; by carrying a calf first, you may learn to carry an ox hereafter. In the mean time produce your hand, I understand nun's flesh better than you imagine: Give it me, you shall see how I will worry it. [_She gives her hand._] Now could not we thrust out our lips, and contrive a kiss too? _Hip._ Yes, we may; but I have had the experience of it: It will be but half flesh, half iron. _Asca._ Let's try, however. _Hip._ Hold, Lucretia's here. _Asca._ Nay, If you come with odds upon me, 'tis time to call seconds. [ASCANIO _hems._ _The Prince and_ LUCRETIA _appear._ _Luc._ Sir, though your song was pleasant, yet there was one thing amiss in it,--that was, your rallying of religion. _Fred._ Do you speak well of my friend Love, and I'll try to speak well of your friend Devotion. _Luc._ I can never speak well of love: 'Twas to avoid it that I entered here. _Fred._ Then, madam, you have met your man; for, to confess the truth to you, I have but counterfeited love, to try you; for I never yet could love any woman: and, since I have seen you, and do not, I am certain now I shall 'scape for ever. _Luc._ You are the best man in the world, if you continue this resolution. Pray, then, let us vow solemnly these two things: the first, to esteem each other better than we do all the world besides; the next, never to change our amity to love. _Fred._ Agreed, madam. Shall I kiss your hand on it? _Luc._ That is too like a lover; or if it were not, the narrowness of the grate will excuse the ceremony. _Hip._ No, but it will not, to my knowledge: I have tried every bar many a fair time over; and at last have found out one, where a hand may get through, and be gallanted. _Luc._ [_giving her hand._] There, sir, 'tis a true one. _Fred._ [_kissing it._] This, then, is a seal to our perpetual friendship, and defiance to all love. _Luc._ That seducer of virtue. _Fred._ That disturber of quiet. _Luc._ That madness of youth. _Fred._ That dotage of old age. _Luc._ That enemy to good humour. _Fred._ And, to conclude all, that reason of all unreasonable actions. _Asca._ This doctrine is abominable; do not believe it, sister. _Hip._ No; if I do, brother, may I never have comfort from sweet youth at my extremity. _Luc._ But remember one article of our friendship, that though we banish love, we do not mirth, nor gallantly; for I declare, I am for all extravagancies, but just loving. _Fred._ Just my own humour; for I hate gravity and melancholy next to love. _Asca._ Now it comes into my head, the duke of Mantua makes an entertainment to night in masquerade: If you love extravagancy so well, madam, I'll put you into the head of one; lay by your nunship for an hour or two, and come amongst us in disguise. _Fred._ My boy is in the right, madam. Will you venture? I'll furnish you with masking-habits.