Duke. You freely may.
Arb. Not but
I think my sister far unworthy, either
In birth or fortune, to be call'd your wife;
Yet since you have been pleas'd to grace her with
Your love so far, as saying she shall be your
Duchess, be pleas'd to tell me why it is
Not so? she has been here so long, that people
Now begin to say you mean her for your mistress;
Should my ears meet that sound from any tongue,
I'd——
Duke. Hold, Arbatus, I'm sure I have given
No cause as yet to doubt my kindness to
Your sister.
Arb. Pardon me, sir, in your delay you have.
My sister has no dowry but her virtue,
Youth, and some small stock of beauty. These if
You lov'd her for, you would not waste,
By letting time rob her and you at once.
Duke. Sir, business of great importance has
Hitherto deferr'd my marriage; believe
Me, you shall find me just.
Arb. A prince's word
Must not be question'd; I have done.
Duke. O Amphelia! what dost thou make me do? [Exit.
Arb. Let him take heed; if he does fool my sister,
Were he ten thousand dukes, I'd cut his throat. [Exit.
Enter Philidor alone.
Phil. I have been quite at t'other end o'th' town,
To put my children out to new nurses,
For I am known to every nurse hereabout;
That they will as soon nurse a cat's kitten
As any child of mine. This is a very
Pleasant life I lead, neither is this the
Worst part of it; for there are a certain
Flock of women that I have promis'd marriage,
I expect a volley of shot from them too,
Soon as they find me out. Would wives and children
Were as hard to come by as money, then would
I turn usurer, and let 'em out to use;
For, to say truth, I have enough to spare.