Win. Something hit mine eye,—it makes it water still,—
Even as you said “commended to my husband.”—
Some dor[440] I think it was.—I was, forsooth,
Commended to him by Sir Arthur Clarington.
Sus. Whose servant once my Thorney was himself.
That title, methinks, should make you almost fellows;
Or at the least much more than a servant;
And I am sure he will respect you so.
Your love to him, then, needs no spur from me,
And what for my sake you will ever do,
’Tis fit it should be bought with something more
Than fair entreats; look! here’s a jewel for thee,
A pretty wanton label for thine ear;
And I would have it hang there, still to whisper
These words to thee, “Thou hast my jewel with thee.”
It is but earnest of a larger bounty,
When thou return’st with praises of thy service,
Which I am confident thou wilt deserve.
Why, thou art many now besides thyself:
Thou mayst be servant, friend, and wife to him;
A good wife is them all. A friend can play
The wife and servant’s part, and shift enough;
No less the servant can the friend and wife:
’Tis all but sweet society, good counsel,
Interchanged loves, yes, and counsel-keeping.
Frank. Not done yet?
Sus. Even now, sir.
Win. Mistress, believe my vow; your severe eye,
Were’t present to command, your bounteous hand,
Were it then by to buy or bribe my service,
Shall not make me more dear or near unto him
Than I shall voluntary. I’ll be all your charge,
Servant, friend, wife to him.
Sus. Wilt thou?
Now blessings go with thee for’t! courtesies
Shall meet thee coming home.
Win. Pray you say plainly,
Mistress, are you jealous of him? if you be,
I’ll look to him that way too.
Sus. Say’st thou so?
I would thou hadst a woman’s bosom now;
We have weak thoughts within us. Alas,
There’s nothing so strong in us as suspicion;
But I dare not, nay, I will not think
So hardly of my Thorney.
Win. Believe it, mistress,
I’ll be no pander to him; and if I find
Any loose lubric scapes in him, I’ll watch him,
And at my return protest I’ll show you all:
He shall hardly offend without my knowledge.
Sus. Thine own diligence is that I press,
And not the curious eye over his faults.
Farewell: if I should never see thee more,
Take it for ever.