VOT. Had you not both long since By a kind worthy lady, your chaste wife?
ANS. That's it that I take pains with thee to be sure of. What true report can I send to my soul Of that I know not? We must only think Our ladies are good people, and so live with 'em: A fine security for them! our own thoughts Make the best fools of us: next to them, our wives. But say she's all chaste, yet is that her goodness? What labour is't for woman to keep constant, That's never tried or tempted? Where's her fight? The war's within her breast, her honest anger Against the impudence of flesh and hell: So let me know the lady of my rest, Or I shall never sleep well; give not me The thing that is thought good, but what's approv'd so. So wise men choose. O, what a lazy virtue Is chastity in a woman, if no sin Should lay temptation to't! prythee, set to her, And bring my peace along with thee.
VOT. You put to me A business that will do my words more shame, Than ever they got honour among women. Lascivious courtings among sinful mistresses Come ever seasonable, please best. But let the boldest ruffian touch the ear Of modest ladies with adulterous sounds, Their very looks confound him, and force grace Into that cheek, where impudence sets her seal; That work is never undertook with courage, That makes his master blush. However, sir, What profit can return to you by knowing That which you do already with more toil? Must a man needs, in having a rich diamond. Put it between a hammer and an anvil, And not believing the true worth and value, Break it in pieces to find out the goodness, And in the finding lose it? Good sir, think on't-- Nor does it taste of wit to try their strengths That are created sickly, nor of manhood. We ought not to put blocks in women's ways, For some too often fall upon plain ground. Let me dissuade you, sir!
ANS. Have I a friend, And has my love so little interest in him, That I must trust some stranger with my heart, And go to seek him out!
VOT. Nay, hark you, sir! I am so jealous of your weaknesses, That rather than you should lie prostituted Before a stranger's triumph, I would venture A whole hour's shaming for you.
Yonder she comes. I'll have an ear to you both; I love to have such things at the first hand.