WIT.
Leave these mad toys of thine, and come to the pith:
One part of the errand should have been
To give her this picture of mine to be seen,
And to request her the same to accept,
Safely until my coming to be kept,
Which I suspend till thy return, and then,
If it like her ladyship to appoint me where and when,
I will wait upon her gladly out of hand.
WILL.
Sir, let me alone: your mind I understand.
I will handle the matter, so that you shall owe me thanks,
But what, if she find fault with these spindle-shanks,
Or else with these black spots on your nose?
WIT.
In faith, sir boy, this talk deserveth blows.
WILL.
You will not misuse your best servant, I suppose?
For, by his nails and by his fingers too,
I will mar your marriage, if you do so.[385]
WIT.
I pray thee go thy ways, and leave this clatter.
WILL.
First shall I be so bold to break to you a matter.
WIT.
Tush, thou art disposed to spend words in waste,
And yet thou knowest this business asketh haste.
WILL.
But even two words, and then I am gone.
WIT.
If it be worth the hearing, say on.
WILL.
I would not have you think that I, for my part,
From my promise or from your service will depart,
But yet now and then it goeth to my heart,
When I think how this marriage may be to my smart.