_Spark._ Well then, by the world, a man can't speak civilly to a woman now, but presently she says, he makes love to her. Nay, madam, you shall stay, with your pardon, since you have not yet understood him, till he has made an eclaircissement of his love to you, that is, what kind of love it is. Answer to thy catechism, friend; do you love my mistress here? _Har._ Yes, I wish she would not doubt it. _Spark._ But how do you love her? _Har._ With all my soul. _Alith._ I thank him, methinks he speaks plain enough now. _Spark._ [_To_ ALITHEA.] You are out still.--But with what kind of love, Harcourt? _Har._ With the best and the truest love in the world. _Spark._ Look you there then, that is with no matrimonial love, I'm sure. _Alith._ How's that? do you say matrimonial love is not best? _Spark._ 'Gad, I went too far ere I was aware. But speak for thyself, Harcourt, you said you would not wrong me nor her. _Har._ No, so, madam, e'en take him for Heaven's sake. _Spark._ Look you there, madam. _Har._ Who should in all justice be yours, he that loves you most. [_Claps his hand on his breast._ _Alith._ Look you there, Mr. Sparkish, who's that? _Spark._ Who should it be?--Go on, Harcourt. _Har._ Who loves you more than women titles, or fortune fools. [_Points at_ SPARKISH. _Spark._ Look you there, he means me still, for he points at me. _Alith._ Ridiculous! _Har._ Who can only match your faith and constancy in love. _Spark._ Ay. _Har._ Who knows, if it be possible, how to value so much beauty and virtue. _Spark._ Ay. _Har._ Whose love can no more be equalled in the world, than that heavenly form of yours. _Spark._ No. _Har._ Who could no more suffer a rival, than your absence, and yet could no more suspect your virtue, than his own constancy in his love to you. _Spark._ No. _Har._ Who, in fine, loves you better than his eyes, that first made him love you. _Spark._ Ay--Nay, madam, faith, you shan't go till-- _Alith._ Have a care, lest you make me stay too long. _Spark._ But till he has saluted you; that I may be assured you are friends, after his honest advice and declaration. Come, pray, madam, be friends with him. _Re-enter_ PINCHWIFE _and_ Mrs. PINCHWIFE. _Alith._ You must pardon me, sir, that I am not yet so obedient to you. _Pinch._ What, invite your wife to kiss men? Monstrous! are you not ashamed? I will never forgive you. _Spark._ Are you not ashamed, that I should have more confidence in the chastity of your family than you have? You must not teach me, I am a man of honour, sir, though I am frank and free; I am frank, sir-- _Pinch._ Very frank, sir, to share your wife with your friends. _Spark._ He is an humble, menial friend, such as reconciles the differences of the marriage bed; you know man and wife do not always agree; I design him for that use, therefore would have him well with my wife. _Pinch._ A menial friend!--you will get a great many menial friends, by showing your wife as you do.