Y. ART. Faith, Mistress Mary, at the point of death,
And long she cannot live; she shall not live
To trouble me in this my second choice.
Enter AMINADAB with a bill and headpiece.
MRS MA. I pray forbear, sir, for here comes my love:
Good sir, for this time leave me; by this kiss
You cannot ask the question at my hands
I will deny you: pray you, get you gone.
Y. ART. Farewell, sweet Mistress Mary! [Exit.
MRS MA. Sweet, adieu!
AMIN. Stand to me, bill! and, headpiece, sit thou close!
I hear my love, my wench, my duck, my dear,
Is sought by many suitors; but with this
I'll keep the door, and enter he that dare!
Virga, be gone, thy twigs I'll turn to steel;
These fingers, that were expert in the jerk;
Instead of lashing of the trembling podex,
Must learn pash and knock, and beat and mall,
Cleave pates and caputs; he that enters here,
Comes on to his death! mors mortis he shall taste.
[He hides himself.
MRS MA. Alas! poor fool, the pedant's mad for love!
Thinks me more mad that I would marry him.
He's come to watch me with a rusty bill,
To keep my friends away by force of arms:
I will not see him, but stand still aside,
And here observe him what he means to do. [Retires.
AMIN. O utinam, that he that loves her best,
Durst offer but to touch her in this place!
Per Jovem et Junonem! hoc
Shall pash his coxcomb such a knock,
As that his soul his course shall take
To Limbo and Avernus' lake.
In vain I watch in this dark hole;
Would any living durst my manhood try,
And offer to come up the stairs this way!
MRS MA. O, We should see you make a goodly fray. [Aside.]
AMIN. The wench I here watch with my bill, Amo, amas, amavi still. Qui audet—let him come that dare! Death, hell, and limbo be his share!