_Ven._ So may you, lady: One that is like to be our sudden duke; The crown gapes for him every tide, and then Commander o'er us all; do but think on him, How blessed were they, now that could pleasure him-- E'en with anything almost! _Gra._ Ay, save their honour. _Ven._ Tut, one would let a little of that go too, And ne'er be seen in't--ne'er be seen in't, mark you: I'd wink, and let it go. _Gra._ Marry, but I would not. _Ven._ Marry but I would, I hope; I know you would too, If you'd that blood now, which you gave your daughter. To her indeed 'tis this wheel[199] comes about; That man that must be all this, perhaps ere morning (For his white father does but mould away), Has long desired your daughter. _Gra._ Desired? _Ven._ Nay, but hear me; He desires now, that will command hereafter: Therefore be wise. I speak as more a friend To you than him: madam, I know you're poor, And, 'lack the day! There are too many poor ladies already; Why should you wax the number? 'Tis despised. Live wealthy, rightly understand the world, And chide away that foolish country girl Keeps company with your daughter--Chastity. _Gra._ O fie, fie! the riches of the world cannot hire A mother to such a most unnatural task. _Ven._ No, but a thousand angels[200] can. Men have no power, angels must work you to't: The world descends into such baseborn evils, That forty angels can make fourscore devils. There will be fools still, I perceive--still fools. Would I be poor, dejected, scorned of greatness, Swept from the palace, and see others' daughters Spring with the dew o' the court, having mine own So much desired and loved by the duke's son? No, I would raise my state upon her breast; And call her eyes my tenants; I would count My yearly maintenance upon her cheeks; Take coach upon her lip; and all her parts Should keep men after men, and I would ride In pleasure upon pleasure. You took great pains for her, once when it was; Let her requite it now, though it be but some. You brought her forth: she may well bring you home. _Gra._ O Heavens! this o'ercomes me! _Ven._ Not, I hope, already? [_Aside._ _Gra._ It is too strong for me; men know that know us, We are so weak their words can overthrow us; He touched me nearly, made my virtues bate,[201] When his tongue struck upon my poor estate. [_Aside._ _Ven._ I e'en quake to proceed, my spirit turns edge. I fear me she's unmothered; yet I'll venture. "That woman is all male, whom none can enter." [_Aside._ What think you now, lady? Speak, are you wiser? What said advancement to you? Thus it said: The daughter's fall lifts up the mother's head. Did it not, madam? But I'll swear it does In many places: tut, this age fears no man. "'Tis no shame to be bad, because 'tis common." _Gra._ Ay, that's the comfort on't.