LOVEL
I shall observe it;
On holidays two quarts.
JOHN
Or stay; you keep no wench?
LOVEL
Ha!
JOHN
No painted mistress for your private hours?
You keep no whore, sir?
LOVEL
What does he mean?
JOHN
Who for a close embrace, a toy of sin,
And amorous praising of your worship's breath,
In rosy junction of four melting lips,
Can kiss out secrets from you?
LOVEL
How strange this passionate behaviour shews in you!
Sure you think me some weak one.
JOHN
Pray pardon me some fears.
You have now the pledge of a dear father's life.
I am a son—would fain be thought a loving one;
You may allow me some fears: do not despise me,
If, in a posture foreign to my spirit,
And by our well-knit friendship I conjure you,
Touch not Sir Walter's life. (Kneels.)
You see these tears. My father's an old man.
Pray let him live.
LOVEL
I must be bold to tell you, these new freedoms
Shew most unhandsome in you.
JOHN (rising)
Ha! do you say so?
Sure, you are not grown proud upon my secret!
Ah! now I see it plain. He would be babbling.
No doubt a garrulous and hard-fac'd traitor—
But I'll not give you leave. (Draws.)