Clari. Does it anger ye? does it a little gall ye?
I know it does, why would ye urge me Lady?
Why would ye be so curious to compel me?
I nam'd Lisander as my president,
The rule I err'd by, you love him, I know it,
I grudg'd not at it, but am pleas'd it is so;
And by my care and diligence you enjoy'd him,
Shall I for keeping counsel, have no comfort?
Will you have all your self? ingross all pleasure
Are ye so hard hearted? why do ye blush now, Madam?
Cal. My anger blushes, not my shame, base woman.
Clari. I'le make your shame blush, since you put me to't.
Who lay with you t'other night?
Cal. With me? ye monster.
Clari. Whose sweet embraces circled ye? not your husbands;
I wonder ye dare touch me in this point, Madam?
Stir her against ye in whose hand your life lies?
More than your life, your honour? what smug Amazon
Was that I brought you? that maid had ne're a petticoat?
Cal. She'l half perswade me anon, I am a beast too,
And I mistrust my self, though I am honest
For giving her the Helm, thou knowest, Clarinda,
(Ev'n in thy conscience) I was ever vertuous;
As far from lust in meeting with Lisander,
As the pure wind in welcoming the morning;
In all the co[n]versation I had with him,
As free, and innocent, as yon fair Heaven;
Didst not thou perswade me too?
Clarin. Yes, I had reason for't,
And now you are perswaded I'le make use on't.
Cal. If I had sin'd thus, and my youth entic'd me,
The nobleness and beauty of his person,
Beside the mighty benefits I am bound to,
Is this sufficient warrant for thy weakness?
If I had been a whore, and crav'd thy counsel
In the conveyance of my fault and faithfulness,
Thy secrecie, and truth in hiding of it;
Is it thy justice to repay me thus?
To be the Master sinner to compel me?
And build thy lusts security on mine honour?
Cla. They that love this sin, love their security;
Prevention, Madam, is the nail I knock'd at,
And I have hit it home, and so I'le hold it,
And you must pardon me, and be silent too,
And suffer what ye see, and suffer patiently;
I shall do worse else.
Cal. Thou canst not touch my credit:
Truth will not suffer me to be abus'd thus.