EUPH. I prythee, Barnet, how hast thou screw'd up This fool to such a monstrous confidence?
BAR. He needs no screwing up; but let him have His swing a little.
EUPH. He shall have it freely. But you have seen your mistress, Master Dotterel? How do you find her? coming?
BAR. He has already got Some footing in her favour.
EUPH. But I doubt He'll play the tyrant; make her doat too long, Wear the green-sickness as his livery, And pine a year or two.
DOT. She's not the first That has done so for me.
EUPH. But if you use My cousin so, I shall not take it well.
DOT. O, I protest I have no such meaning, sir. See, here she comes! the Lady Whimsey too.
LADY W. I thought, sweetheart, th' hadst wanted company.
LADY W. Had I known Your house had been so full of gallants now, I would have spar'd my visit. But 'tis all one, I have met a friend here.
LADY W. I was confessing of your cousin here About th' affairs of love.
EUPH. Your ladyship, I hope, will shrieve her gently.[6]
LADY W. But I tell her She shall not thank me now for seeing her; For I have business hard by. I am going A suitor to your old rich neighbour here-- Earthworm.
EUPH. A suitor! He is very hard In granting anything, especially If it be money.
LADY W. Yes, my suit's for money; Nay, all his money, and himself to boot.
BAR. His money would do well without himself.
BAR. Alas! your ladyship Should too much wrong your beauty, to bestow it Upon one that cannot use it, and debar More able men their wishes.
EUPH. That's true, Barnet, If she should bar all other men: but that Would be too great a cruelty.
LADY W. Yes, he will be heard: Rather than fail, he'll give himself the hearing. But, prythee, Euphues, tell me plainly now, What thou dost think of me? I love thy freeness Better than any flattery in the world.
EUPH. In that That makes or mars a woman--I mean love.
EUPH. I think you understand so well What the true use of man is, that you'll ne'er Trouble your thoughts with care, or spoil your beauty With the green-sickness, to obtain a thing Which you can purchase a discreeter way.
LADY W. Wondrous well; 'Tis that I look'd for. But what entertainment Would old rich Earthworm give us, do you think?
BAR. Unless your presence, madam, could infuse A nobler soul into him, 'tis much fear'd 'Twould be but mean.