University of Virginia Library

The second Scœne.

Enter Ladie, by the middle Scœne.
Lady.
What is't should make my Husbands jealousie
Rage to within him to suspect the visits
Of every friend! Cannot my carefull carriage
Kill his distrust, and make him confident!
Many a young Ladie that had such excuses
As I may well pretend, his age, diseases,
And all the cold defects are incident
To a decaying strength, would priviledge
Her rasher wills dispense with young desires.
Such are in me; but not to satisfaction:
I must not wrong my fame: though my hot bloud
Should dance a lustfull measure. But hee's jealous;
And I must practise some strange cure upon it.
Secretary.

Susan.
Madame.

Lady.
Why doe you gaze upon me?

Susan.

I would not for th'exchange your Ladiship were
a man.

Lady.

And why so?

Susan.

I should runne madd, for love of your Ladiship.

Lady.

What humour have you got? you have sure beene
tipling. Fie Secretary.

Susan.

I hope your Ladiship hath a better opinion of
your uman, then to be earnest because she jests.

Lady.

You know Mr. Ierker?

Susan.

A very handsome gentleman. I wonder no worthy
Gentleuman is in love with him:

Lady.

No Secretary; what thinke you of me?

Susan.

Doth your ladiship love him? truely and so
doe I.

Lady.
But not as I doe:
I could betray mine honour to his love;
And sell my fame for his more sweet embraces:
Give those delights which are my Husbands due
To his enjoying.

Susan.

And will your Ladiship discover this to mee?
Truely I meane not to bee degraded from your Ladiships
uman, to hold the doore, and crye, my Master's comming.

Lady.
Thy employment shall be
When wee are closely set at dallyance
Blush not what ere thou seest; but call thy Master;
The service may be worth a new gowne.

Susan.

How, call my Master! Did ever any Ladie enjoy
a friend in a corner, and wish her Husband (who is
sufficiently jealous alreadie) to see it! Now as I am a
Gentleuman, and had rather bee a Ladie, 'tis not my
mind.

Lady.
But 'tis mine;
His knowledge of't would add to the delight,
And make th'offence lesse. Citie Dames can practise
Slights to deceive their Husbands, mine shall know it.

Susan.
But is your Ladiship earnest?

Lady.
As earnest as resolves can make me.

Susan.

But I am resolv'd not to obey your Ladyship.
Shall I that am my Ladies Secretary as it were, be treacherous
to her secrets? Then let me not be counted a gentleuman.
If it please your Ladiship Ile tell him you intend
such a thing that he may prevent it.

Lady.
Dispute not my commands, but doe them:
Or I shall stop the current of my favours.
That hitherto have flow'd so fully on thee.