_Lev._ Thou art deceived, Fresco. Ladies are as courteous as yeomen's wives, and methinks they should be more gentle. Hot diet and soft ease makes 'em like wax always kept warm, more easy to take impression.--Prithee, untie my shoe.--What, art thou shamefaced too? Go roundly to work, man. My leg is not gouty: 'twill endure the feeling, I warrant thee. Come hither, Fresco; thine ear. S'dainty, I mistook the place, I missed thine ear and hit thy lip. _Fres._ Your ladyship has made me blush. _Lev._ That shows thou art full o' lusty blood and thou knowest not how to use it. Let me see thy hand. Thou shouldst not be shamefaced by thy hand, Fresco. Here's a brawny flesh and a hairy skin, both signs of an able body. I do not like these phlegmatic, smooth-skinned, soft-fleshed fellows. They are like candied suckets[152] when they begin to perish, which I would always empty my closet of, and give 'em my chambermaid.--I have some skill in palmistry: by this line that stands directly against me thou shouldst be near a good fortune, Fresco, if thou hadst the grace to entertain it. _Fres._ O what is that, madam, I pray? _Lev._ No less than the love of a fair lady, if thou dost not lose her with faint-heartedness. _Fres._ A lady, madam? Alas, a lady is a great thing: I cannot compass her. _Lev._ No? Why, I am a lady. Am I so great I cannot be compassed? Clasp my waist, and try. _Fres._ I could find i' my heart, madam--[SEBASTIAN _knocks within._ _Lev._ 'Uds body, my husband! Faint-hearted fool! I think thou wert begotten between the North Pole and the congealed passage.[153] Now, like an ambitious coward that betrays himself with fearful delay, you must suffer for the treason you never committed. Go, hide thyself behind yon arras instantly. [FRESCO _hides himself._ _Enter_ SEBASTIAN. Sebastian! What do you here so late? _Sebas._ Nothing yet, but I hope I shall. [_Kisses her._ _Lev._ Y'are very bold. _Sebas._ And you very valiant, for you met me at full career.[154] _Lev._ You come to ha' me move your father's reconciliation. I'll write a word or two i' your behalf. _Sebas._ A word or two, madam? That you do for me will not be contained in less than the compass of two sheets. But in plain terms shall we take the opportunity of privateness. _Lev._ What to do? _Sebas._ To dance the beginning of the world after the English manner. _Lev._ Why not after the French or Italian? _Sebas._ Fie! they dance it preposterously; backward! _Lev._ Are you so active to dance? _Sebas._ I can shake my heels. _Lev._ Y'are well made for't. _Sebas._ Measure me from top to toe you shall not find me differ much from the true standard of proportion. [BELFOREST _knocks within._