_Abi._ 'Tis my husband's hand, and a love-letter; but for the contents I find none in it. Has the lustful monster, all back and belly, starved me thus? What defect does he see in me? I'll be sworn, wench, I am of as pliant and yielding a body to him, e'en which way he will--he may turn me as he list himself. What? and dedicate to thee! Ay, marry, here's a stile so high as a man cannot help a dog o'er it. He was wont to write to me in the city-phrase, _My good Abigail._ Here's _astonishment of nature, unparallel'd excellency, and most unequal rarity of creation_!--three such words will turn any honest woman in the world[216] whore; for a woman is never won till she know not what to answer; and beshrew me if I understand any of these. You are the party, I perceive, and here's a white sheet, that your husband has promis'd me to do penance in: you must not think to dance the shaking of the sheets[217] alone; though there be not such rare phrases in 't, 'tis more to the matter: a legible hand, but for the dash or the (he) and (as):[218] short bawdy parentheses as ever you saw, to the purpose; he has not left out a prick, I warrant you, wherein he has promis'd to do me any good; but the law's in mine own hand. 36 _Tha._ I ever thought by his red beard he would prove a Judas;[219] here am I bought and sold; he makes much of me indeed. Well, wench, we were best wisely in time seek for prevention; I should be loath to take drink and die on 't, as I am afraid I shall, that he will lie with thee. _Abi._ To be short, sweetheart, I'll be true to thee, though a liar to my husband. I have signed your husband's bill like a woodcock, as he is held; persuaded him (since naught but my love can assuage his violent passions) he should enjoy, like a private friend, the pleasures of my bed. I told him my husband was to go to Maurano to-day, to renew a farm he has; and in the meantime he might be tenant at will to use mine. This false fire has so took with him, that he's ravish'd afore he come. I have had stones on him all red. Dost know this? _Tha._ Ay, too well; it blushes, for his master. 53 [_Points to the ring._ _Abi._ Now my husband will be hawking about thee anon, and thou canst meet him closely. _Tha._ By my faith, I would be loth in the dark, and he knew me. _Abi._ I mean thus: the same occasion will serve him too; they are birds of a feather, and will fly together, I warrant thee, wench; appoint him to come; say that thy husband's gone for Maurano, and tell me anon if thou madest not his heart-blood spring for joy in his face. 62 _Tha._ I conceive you not all this while.