Sextus. He must: we have but idled from the camp, to try a merry wager about their wives, and this at the hazard of the King’s displeasure, should any man be missing from his charge. The powers that govern Rome make divine Lucrece for ever happy! Good-night. Scevola. But, Valerius, what thinkest thou of the country girls from whence we came, compared with our city wives whom we this night have tried? Valerius. Scevola, thou shalt hear. [_Sings_.] O yes, room for the crier, Who never yet was found a liar! O ye fine smug country lasses, That would for brooks change crystal glasses, And be transhaped from foot to crown, And straw-beds change for beds of down; Your partlets turn into rebatoes,[5.43] And ’stead of carrots eat potatoes; Your frontlets[5.44] lay by, and your rails,[5.45] And fringe with gold your daggled tails: Now your hawk-noses shall have hoods And billements[5.46] with golden studs; Straw-hats shall be no more bongraces[5.47] From the bright sun to hide your faces; For hempen smocks to help the itch, Have linen, sewed with silver stitch; And wheresoe’er they chance to stride, One bare before to be their guide. O yes, room for the crier, Who never yet was found a liar! Lucrece. Will not my husband repose this night with me? Horatius. Lucrece shall pardon him: we ha’ took our leaves of our wives, nor shall Collatine be before us, though our ladies in other things come behind you. Collatine. I must be swayed: the joys and the delights Of many thousand nights meet all in one, To make my Lucrece happy! Lucrece. I am bound to your strict will. To each good-night. Sextus. To horse, to horse! [_Aside_.] Lucrece, we cannot rest Till our hot lust embosom in thy breast. [_Exeunt all but_ Lucrece. Lucrece. With no unkindness we should our lords upbraid; Husbands and kings must always be obeyed. Nothing save the high business of the state, And the charge given him at Ardea’s siege, Could ha’ made Collatine so much digress From the affection that he bears his wife; But subjects must excuse when kings claim power. But, leaving this, before the charm of sleep Seize with his downy wings upon my eyes, I must go take account among my servants Of their day’s task; we must not cherish sloth. No covetous thought makes me thus provident, But to shun idleness, which, wise men say, Begets rank lust, and virtue beats away. [_Exit_. SCENE V.--_The Road to Ardea_. _Enter_ Sextus, Aruns, Horatius, Brutus, Scevola, _and_ Valerius. Horatius. Return to Rome now we are in the midway to the camp! Sextus. My lords, ’tis business that concerns my life: To-morrow, if we live, we’ll visit thee. Valerius. Will Sextus enjoin me to accompany him? Scevola. Or me?