Qua. And I have not jaded thy ears more than I have tired my tongue, I could run discourse, put him out of his full pace.
I could pour speech till thou criedst ho! but troth,
I dread a glut; and I confess much love
To freer gentry, whose pert agile spirits 220
Is too much frost-bit, numb’d with ill-strain’d snibs,[445]
Hath tenter-reach’d[446] my speech. By Brutus’ blood,
He is a turf that will be slave to man;
But he’s a beast that dreads his mistress’ fan.
Lav. Come, all mirth and solace, capers, healths, and whiffs;[447]
To-morrow are my nuptials celebrate.
All friends, all friends!
Lam. I protest——
Qua. Nay, leave protests; pluck out your snarling
fangs. When thou hast means, be fantastical and sociable. Go to: here’s my hand; and you want forty shillings, I am your Mecænas, though not atavis edite regibus. 233
Lam. Why, content, and I protest——
Qua. I’ll no protest!
Lam. Well, and I do not leave these fopperies, do not lend me forty shillings, and there’s my hand: I embrace you—love you—nay, adore thee; for by the juice of wormwood, thou hast a bitter brain!
Qua. You, Simplicius, wolt leave that staring fellow, Admiration, and adoration of thy acquaintance, wilt? A scorn! out; ’tis odious. Too eager a defence argues a strong opposition; and too vehement a praise draws a suspicion of others’ worthy disparagement. 245
Set[448] tapers to bright day, it ill befits;
Good wines can vent themselves, and not good wits?
Sim. Good truth, I love you; and with the grace of Heaven, I’ll be very civil and——