San. The queen must pardon courage; men who are
Of daring spirit, so they may but fight,
Examine not the cause.
Flo. She doth expect us. [Exit.
Cle. I will attend her here, for here she gives
Decastro audience. I must not lose
This lord yet, it so near concerns my mirth.
San. Madam, I wonder with what confidence
You, after such an injury, dare endanger
Discourse with me.
Cle. I injure you, my lord,
Whose favour I have courted with more zeal
Than well my sex can warrant; triumph not
Too much upon my weakness, 'cause you have
Got victory o'er my heart; take not delight
To make my grief your sport.
San. Be witty still,
And keep me for a trophy of your pride.
I hope to see that beauty at an ebb;
Where will be then your overflow of servants?
You'll then repent your pride.
Cle. O never, never;
If you'll particularise your vows to me—
You, who to th' title of the courtly lord
Have added that of valiant; and beshrew me,
She's no good housewife of her fame that wants
A daring servant.
San. This perhaps may work. [Aside.
Cle. If she live single, he preserves her name,
And scarce admits a whisper that the jealous
May construe points at her; and if she marry,
He awes the husband, if by chance or weakness
She have offended.
San. This cannot be fiction. [Aside.