Abi. Why, then, you’re best say nothing, and take it thus quietly when your husband comes.
Tha. Ay, but you know a woman cannot choose but speak in these cases.
Abi. Bite in your nether-lip, and I warrant you; 100 Or make as if you were whiffing tobacco; Or puich[220] like me. Gods so! I hear thy husband!
[Exit Abigail.
Tha. Farewell, wise woman.
Enter Rogero.[221]
Rog.[222] Now ’gins my vengeance mount high in my lust:
’Tis a rare creature, she’ll do ’t i’faith;
And I am arm’d at all points. A rare whiblin,[223]
To be revenged, and yet gain pleasure in ’t,
One height above revenge! Yet what a slave am I!
Are there not younger brothers enough, but we must
Branch one another? O but mine’s revenge! 110
And who on that does dream
Must be a tyrant ever in extreme.—
O my wife Thais, get my breakfast ready;
I must into the country to my farm I have
Some two miles off, and, as I think,
Shall not come home to-night. Jaques, Jaques?
Get my vessel ready to row me down the river.
Prithee make haste, sweet girl.
[Exit Rogero.[224]
Tha. So, there’s one fool shipp’d away. Are your cross-points discovered? Get your breakfast ready! 120
By this light I’ll tie you to hard fare; I have been too sparing of that you prodigally offer voluntary to another: well, you will be a tame fool hereafter,
The finest light is when we first defraud;
Husband, to-night ’tis I must lie abroad.