_Tha._ Troth, and I never had any sea-captain boarded in my house.
_Abi._ Go to, then; and the better to avoid suspicion, thus we must insist: they must come up darkling, recreate themselves with their delight an hour or two, and after a million kisses or so-- 89
_Tha._ But is my husband content to come darkling?
_Abi._ What, not to save mine honour? He that will run through fire, as he has profess'd, will, by the heat of his love, grope in the dark! I warrant him he shall save mine honour.
_Tha._ I am afraid my voice will discover me.
_Abi._ Why, then, you're best say nothing, and take it thus quietly when your husband comes.
_Tha._ Ay, but you know a woman cannot choose but speak in these cases.
Abi. Bite in your nether-lip, and I warrant you; 100 Or make as if you were whiffing tobacco; Or puich[220] like me. Gods so! I hear thy husband!
_Rog._[222] Now 'gins my vengeance mount high in my lust: 'Tis a rare creature, she'll do 't i'faith; And I am arm'd at all points. A rare whiblin,[223] To be revenged, and yet gain pleasure in 't, One height above revenge! Yet what a slave am I! Are there not younger brothers enough, but we must Branch one another? O but mine's revenge! 110 And who on that does dream Must be a tyrant ever in extreme.-- O my wife Thais, get my breakfast ready; I must into the country to my farm I have Some two miles off, and, as I think, Shall not come home to-night. Jaques, Jaques? Get my vessel ready to row me down the river. Prithee make haste, sweet girl.
_Tha._ So, there's one fool shipp'd away. Are your cross-points discovered? Get your breakfast ready! 120 By this light I'll tie you to hard fare; I have been too sparing of that you prodigally offer voluntary to another: well, you will be a tame fool hereafter, The finest light is when we first defraud; Husband, to-night 'tis I must lie abroad.
[215] "And each particular hair to stand _an-end_".--_Hamlet_, i. 4.
[217] "The shaking of the sheets" was the name of an old dance. It is often used with a quibble (as in the text).
[218] I follow the reading of the old copies.
[219] In tapestry Judas was commonly represented with a red beard.
[223] This word is used in a variety of senses: see Nares' _Gloss._ Here the meaning seems to be "device, trick." We have had the word "quiblin" in this sense: see p. 60. [Transcriber's Note: Footnote [64]]