TAF. I pray thee see if he have left the house. Peep close; see, but be not seen: is he gone?
BOUT. O you much partial gods! Why gave you men affections, and not[344] power To govern them? what I by fate should shun, I most affect--a widow, a widow.
ADRI. Ha, ha! he's in, i' faith: Y' have drawn him now within your purlieus, mistress.
BOUT. Tut, I will not love! my rational And better parts shall conquer blind affections: Let passion children or weak women sway. My love shall to my judgment still obey. [_Exit._
ADRI. He went his way, and never look'd behind him.
ADRI. A little sing'd or so: Each thing must have beginning; men must prepare, Before they can come on, and show their loves In pleasing sorts: the man must do in time; For love, good mistress, is much like to wax-- The more 'tis rubb'd, it sticks the faster to; Or, like a bird in bird-lime or a pit-fall, The more he labours, still the deeper in.
TAF. Come, thou must help me now; I have a trick To second this beginning, and in the nick To strike it dead, i' faith. Women must woo, When men forget what nature leads them to. [_Exeunt._
_Enter_ THROAT _the lawyer from his study; books and_ _bags of money on a table, a chair and cushion_.
THROAT. Chaste Phoebe, _splende_; there's that left yet, Next to my book, _claro micante auro_. Ay, that's the soul of law; that's it, that's it, For which the buckram-bag must trudge all weathers, Though scarcely fill'd with one poor replication. How happy are we, that we joy the law So freely as we do: not bought and sold, But clearly given, without all base extorting: Taking but bare ten angels for a fee, Or upward. To this renown'd estate Have I by indirect and cunning means Enwoven myself, and now can scratch it out: Thrust at a bar, and cry _My lord_ as loud As e'er a listed gownman of them all. I never plead before the honour'd bench: But _bench right-worshipful of peaceful justices_ _And country gentlemen_: and yet I've found Good gettings, by the mass; besides odd cheats, Will Small-shank's lands, and many garboils[345] more, Dash!
THROAT. Have you drawn't at length, have you dash'd it out-- According to your name?
THROAT. Is the demurrer drawn 'twixt Snipe and Woodcock? And what do you say to Peacock's pitiful bill?