_Herc._ Or why, O custom! didst thou oblige them to modesty, such cold temperance, that they must be wooed by men--courted by men? Why, all know they are more full of strong desires--those desires most impatient of delay or hindrance, they have more unruly passions than men, and weaker reason to temper those passions than men. _Nym._ Why, then, hath not the discretion of Nature thought it just that customary coyness, old fashions, terms of honour and of modesty, forsooth, all laid aside, they court not us, beseech not us rather, for sweets of love than we them? Why, by Janus! women are but men turn'd the wrong side outward. 135 _Herc._ O, sir, Nature is a wise workman. She knows right well that if women should woo us to the act of love, we should all be utterly shamed. How often should they take us unprovided, when they are always ready! 140 _Herod._ Ay, sir, right, sir; to some few such unfortunate handsome fellows as myself am; to my grief, I know it. _Herc._ Why, here are two perfect creatures--the one, Nymphadoro, loves all, and my Herod here enjoys all. _Herod._ 'Faith, some score or two of ladies or so ravish me among them, divide my presents, and would indeed engross me, were I indeed such an ass as to be made a monopoly of. Look, sirrah, what a vild hand one of them writes. Who would ever take this for a _d._--_dearest_, or read this for _only_--_only dearest_? 152 _Herc._ Here's a lie indeed. _Herod._ True, but here's another much more legibly, a good secretary,--_My most affected Herod, the utmost ambition of my hopes and only----_ _Herc._ There is one lie better shaped by odds! _Herod._ Right; but here's a lady's Roman hand to me is beyond all. Look ye,--_To her most elected servant and worthy friend, Herod Baldonzozo, Esquire_. I believe thou knowest what countess's hand this is. I'll show thee another. 162 _Herc._ No, good Herod; I'll show thee one now.--_To his most elected mistress and worthy laundress, divine Mistress Puttotta, at her tent in the wood-yard, or elsewhere, give these_---- _Herod._ Prithee, ha' silence! What's that? _Herc._ _If my tears or vows, my faithfulst_[237] _protestations on my knees_---- _Herod._ Good, hold! 170 _Herc._ _Fair and only-loved laundress!_-- _Herod._ Forbear, I beseech thee! _Herc._ _Might move thy stony heart to take pity on my sighs_---- _Herod._ Do not shame me to the day of judgment! _Herc._ _Alas! I write it in passion!--alas! thou knowest besides my loathed sister, thou art_---- _Herod._ For the Lord's sake! _Herc._ _The only hope of my pleasure, the only pleasure of my hopes! Be pleased, therefore, to_---- 180