_Abi._ Then th' art a barren woman, and no marvel if thy husband love thee not. The hour for both to come is six--a dark time fit for purblind lovers; and with cleanly conveyance by the nigglers our maids, they shall be translated into our bed-chambers. Your husband into mine, and mine into yours. _Tha._ But you mean they shall come in at the backdoors? 71 _Abi._ Who? our husbands? nay, an' they come not in at the fore-doors there will be no pleasure in 't. But we two will climb over our garden-pales, and come in that way (the chastest that are in Venice will stray for a good turn), and thus wittily will we be stowed--you into my house to your husband, and I into your house to my husband; and I warrant thee before a month come to an end, they'll crack louder of this night's lodging than the bedsteads. 80 _Tha._ All is if our maids keep secret. _Abi._ Mine is a maid I'll be sworn; she has kept her secrets hitherto. _Tha._ Troth, and I never had any sea-captain boarded in my house. _Abi._ Go to, then; and the better to avoid suspicion, thus we must insist: they must come up darkling, recreate themselves with their delight an hour or two, and after a million kisses or so-- 89 _Tha._ But is my husband content to come darkling? _Abi._ What, not to save mine honour? He that will run through fire, as he has profess'd, will, by the heat of his love, grope in the dark! I warrant him he shall save mine honour. _Tha._ I am afraid my voice will discover me. _Abi._ Why, then, you're best say nothing, and take it thus quietly when your husband comes. _Tha._ Ay, but you know a woman cannot choose but speak in these cases. Abi. Bite in your nether-lip, and I warrant you; 100 Or make as if you were whiffing tobacco; Or puich[220] like me. Gods so! I hear thy husband! [_Exit_ ABIGAIL. _Tha._ Farewell, wise woman. _Enter_ ROGERO.[221] _Rog._[222] Now 'gins my vengeance mount high in my lust: 'Tis a rare creature, she'll do 't i'faith; And I am arm'd at all points. A rare whiblin,[223] To be revenged, and yet gain pleasure in 't, One height above revenge! Yet what a slave am I! Are there not younger brothers enough, but we must Branch one another? O but mine's revenge! 110 And who on that does dream Must be a tyrant ever in extreme.-- O my wife Thais, get my breakfast ready; I must into the country to my farm I have Some two miles off, and, as I think, Shall not come home to-night. Jaques, Jaques? Get my vessel ready to row me down the river. Prithee make haste, sweet girl. [_Exit_ ROGERO.[224]