About us women: forsooth the bride must steal
Before her lord to bed; and then delays,
Long expectations, all against known wishes. 10
I hate these figures in locution,
These about phases forced by ceremony;
We must still seem to fly what we most seek,
And hide ourselves from what we fain would find.
Let those that think and speak and do just acts,
Know form can give no virtue to their acts,
Nor detract vice.
Zan. Alas, fair princess! those that are strongly form’d
And truly shap’d, may naked walk; but we,
We things call’d women, only made for show 20
And pleasure, created to bear children
And play at shuttlecock; we imperfect mixtures,
Without respective ceremony used,
And ever compliment, alas! what are we?
Take from us formal custom and the courtesies
Which civil fashion hath still used to us,
We fall to all contempt. O women, how much,
How much are you beholding to ceremony!
So. You are familiar. Zanthia, my shoe.
Zan. ’Tis wonder, madam, you tread not awry. 30
So. Your reason, Zanthia.
Zan. You go very high.
So. Hark! music! music!
The Ladies lay the Princess in a fair bed, and close the curtains, whilst Massinissa Enters.
Ny. The bridegroom!