MR BAR. Ay, and I had done well, If you would do what I advise for well.
MR BAR. Which is, that you would be good friends With Mistress Goursey.
MR BAR. Could you but show me any grounded cause.
MRS BAR. The grounded cause I ground, because I will not.
MR BAR. Your will hath little reason, then, I think.
MRS BAR. Yes, sir, my reason equalleth my will.
MR BAR. Let's hear your reason, for your will is great.
MR BAR. Is all your reason "for I will not," wife? Now, by my soul, I held ye for more wise, Discreet, and of more temp'rature in sense, Than in a sullen humour to affect That woman's[247] will--borne, common, scholar phrase: Oft have I heard a timely-married girl, That newly left to call her mother mam, Her father dad: but yesterday come from "That's my good girl, God send thee a good husband!" And now being taught to speak the name of husband, Will, when she would be wanton in her will, If her husband ask'd her why, say "for I will." Have I chid men for[248] [an] unmanly choice, That would not fit their years? have I seen thee Pupil such green young things, and with thy counsel Tutor their wits? and art thou now infected With this disease of imperfection? I blush for thee, ashamed at thy shame.
MRS BAR. A shame on her that makes thee rate me so!
MR BAR. O black-mouth'd rage, thy breath is boisterous, And thou mak'st virtue shake at this high storm! She is[249] of good report; I know thou know'st it.
MRS BAR. She is not, nor I know not, but I know That thou dost love her, therefore think'st her so; Thou bear'st with her, because she bears with thee. Thou may'st be ashamed to stand in her defence: She is a strumpet, and thou art no honest man To stand in her defence against thy wife. If I catch her in my walk, now, by Cock's[250] bones, I'll scratch out both her eyes.
MRS BAR. Nay, never say "O God" for the matter: Thou art the cause; thou bad'st her to my house, Only to blear the eyes of Goursey, did'st not? But I will send him word, I warrant thee, And ere I sleep too, trust upon it, sir. [_Exit_.
MR BAR. Methinks this is a mighty fault in her; I could be angry with her: O, if I be so, I shall but put a link unto a torch, And so give greater light to see her fault. I'll rather smother it in melancholy: Nay, wisdom bids me shun that passion; Then I will study for a remedy. I have a daughter,--now, heaven invocate, She be not of like spirit as her mother! If so, she'll be a plague unto her husband, If that he be not patient and discreet, For that I hold the ease of all such trouble. Well, well, I would my daughter had a husband, For I would see how she would demean herself In that estate; it may be, ill enough,-- And, so God shall help me, well-remembered now! Frank Goursey is his father's son and heir: A youth that in my heart I have good hope on; My senses say a match, my soul applauds The motion: O, but his lands are great, He will look high; why, I will strain myself To make her dowry equal with his land. Good faith, and 'twere a match, 'twould be a means To make their mothers friends. I'll call my daughter, To see how she's dispos'd to marriage.-- Mall, where are ye?