PENELOPE

Pray collect Your self, remember what you are, and whose You have a virtuous gentlewoman, think Upon your faith to her. And you shall for ever, I have no passion that shall not know obedience to you. This night— This is but a trial Of my strength, for I know you have more charity, (Should I consent) then Shipwreck your own honour. But take heed sir, how you proceed to jest With frailty, least too much disordering Your good thoughts, you forget and by degrees, Lose your own innocence. What argument is this to assure the truth of your of fection to me, that break your vows to her? Can you be so ingrateful, to punish whom you should reward, remember sir, she brought you that wealth you have took you from nothing — Yet you said, were your wife dead you'd marry me. 'Twere dangerous to: have many. What? Yes, upon one condition. Will you be sad still Cozen, why d'ee grieve? Be kinder to your self, trust me, I weep When I am alone, for you. My love? 'tis justice you command my service, I would I were so happy. Pray name it. My love? why do you mock my poor heart, which Pours all it has upon you? you're possessed of that already. I always did. I understand you not, or if you do Suspect I cherish any lawless fame— Grief I fear Hath made her wild, d'ee know what you desire? I have no patience to hear more, and could I let in a thought, you meant this earnest, I should forget I knew you; but you cannot Be fallen from so much goodness, I confess I have no confidence in your husbands virtue, He has attempted me; but shall hope sooner To leave a stain upon the sun, then bribe Me to so foul a gilded; I have no life Without my innocence, and you cannot make Your self more miserable, then to wish it from me: O, do not lose the merit of your faith, And truth to him, though he forget himself, By thinking to relieve your self thus sinfully, But sure you do but try me all this while. Cherish hope, He rather will come back; your tears, and prayers Cannot be lost. This may engage him further, and my self to a dishonour. I'll refuse no danger, if I suffer not in honour, To do you any service. Yes, sir. Nothing. Pray to your knowledge, sir, wherein have I Done injury to you, or her? By no means, sir, I steal away your heart, And meet at stolen embraces. By no means think upon't, I have forgiven her, You shanot sir, so much as frown upon her. Pray do not as you love me, We may study a more convenient revenge. Sir, I acknowledge The groth and expectation of my fortune, Is in your love, and though I wood not wrong her; And yet to have my innocence accused Is able to pervert it, sir, your pardon, I have been passionate; pray love your wife, You know she has no cause. Sir, if it be a trouble to your House, Your breath shall soon discharge me, I had thought The tie of blood might have gained some respect. O, do not say so. Tell her what? you make me blush. I wonot take't on such conditions. As you love me, go, sir. Have no suspicion that I wish your absence, I'll wear your gift, and study to be thankful. Exit. You're i'th right, I blamed my Tailor for't, but I find now, The fault was in my countenance, wo'd we had Some Music, I could dance now, la, la, la, bram, &c, But you must be as punctual ith conditions For my vows sake, not speak a syllable. If it be not to loud; We must not be seen together, to avoid Suspicion, I would not for a world my cozen Should know on't. No piece of a Candle. I have a scruple. When you Have your desires upon me, you will soon Grow cold in your affection, and neglect me. When I am married? 'Tis double sin. I have made work for some body, you have put me Upon a desperate service, if you do not Relieve me, I am finely served. Master Hazard. He is a handsome gentleman. If you take it, I hope you'll give it me again. My name. Can you tell me Of any honest man that I may trust with it? Take heed what you say, sir. A hundred honest men, why if there were So many i'th City, 'twere enough to forfeit Their Charter; but perhaps you live in the Suburbs. I hope you are not one, sir. One of those honest men you talked of so, One to whose trust, a Virgin might commit A maidenhead, as you call it. How long? Why you are modest. Who can help it, you Gentlemen are such strange creatures, so unnatural, So infinitely chased, so mortified With Beef and Barleywater, such strange discipline, And Haircloth. Such severe ways to tame your flesh, such friends To fry-dayes, Lent, and Ember-weeks; such enemies To Sack, and marrow-Pies, Candles, and Crabs, Fiddlers, and other warm restoratives, A handsome woman can not reach your pity, We may even grow to our Pillows, ere you'll comfort us; this was not wont. You are a handsome gentleman Why may not you drink Wine sometime, or eat Sturgeon, or forage in your Iustie-pie Of Aartichoke, or Potato; or why may not Your learned Physician Dictate ambergris, Or Powders, and you obey him, in your Broths? Have you so strange antipathy to women? To what end will gentlemen Come to, if this frost hold? By whom? Was this at his entreaty? You are a fine gentleman, where's your land? You may be Knight o'th Shire in time: farewell, sir. I wish it may. Your pleasure, sir? That common manners would instruct. I were a devil else: A man, what else, sir? Nothing, sir. I hope you'll not compel me. Why? You are easy of belief I think I should be best acquainted with My own thoughts, and I dare not be so desperate To conclude. Indeed sir? How long? Strange. You will? He would seem to be a Suitor. Of what? I resolve Never to marry without your consent. If you bestow me, sir, I will be confident I am not lost, I must confess I love him. Fast as the Priest could tie us. Be not troubled, sir, I am a witness of my Cozens truth, And hope yowl make all prosper, in renewing Your faith to her. That your wife give consent, you shall then command me. But there are many ways to the wood, and which Would you desire, the nearest path, and safest Or that which leads about? Without all question. The nearest and the safest.