Ant. That's in suspense. But, mistress, you did say,
You durst eat coals with Portia, to redeem
The infinitely lov'd life of your husband.
Abs. And still [do] strongly protest it.
Lor. O my Abstemia!
Ant. You shall redeem him at an easier rate:
I have the murderer, you see, in hold.
Lor. And we are bless'd in your discovery of him.
Ant. If you will give consent that I shall taste
That sense-bereaving pleasure so familiar
Unto your happy husband——
Abs. How?
Ant. Pray, hear me:
Then I will give this fellow up to the law.
If you deny, horses stand ready for us,
A bark for transportation; where we will live,
Till law by death hath sever'd ye.
Lor. But we will call for present witness.
Ant. Look ye—— [Shows the pistol.
Experienc'd navigators still are fitted
For every weather. 'Tis almost past call
To reach the nimblest ear: yet but offer it,
I part ye presently for ever. Consider it:
The enjoying him thou so entirely lov'st
All thy life after; that when mirth-spent time
Hath crown'd your heads with honour, you may sit
And tell delightful stories of your loves;
And when ye come to that poor minute's 'scape
Crowns my desire, ye may let that slip by,
Like water that ne'er meets the miller's eye.
Compare but this to th' soon-forgotten pleasure
Of a pair of wealthy minutes. The thriftiest[173] lapidary
Knows the most curious jewel takes no harm
For one day's wearing. Could you, sir (did your eye
Nor see it worn), your wife having lent your cloak
(If secretly return'd and folded up)—
Could you conceive, when you next look'd upon't,
It had neatly furnish'd out a poor friend's want?
Be charitable, and think on't.