Col. Faith, for the most part, all scholars are so, for they take so upon them to know all things, that indeed they know nothing; and besides, they are with study and ease grown so unwieldy, that a woman shall ne'er want a sore stomach that's troubled with them.
Lol. And yet they must have the government of all.
Col. True, and great reason they have for it: but a wise man will put it in a woman's hand: what! she'll save what he spends.
Lol. You have a pretty ruff, how deep is it?
Col. Nay this is but shallow; marry, I have a ruff is a quarter deep, measured by the yard?
Lol. Indeed! by the yard?
Col. By the standard, I assure you: you have a pretty set too! how big is the steel you set with?
Lol. As big as is[145] reasonable sufficient:—pity of my life, I have forgot myself; if my husband should rise from his study, and miss me, we should have such a coil.
Col. A coil, why what coil? if he were my husband, and did but thwart me, I would ring him so many alarums, sound him so many brass trumpets, beat him so many drums to his confusion, and thunder him such a peal of great-shot, that I would turn his brain in the pan, and make him mad with an eternal silence.
Lol. O Mistress Collaquintida, but my husband's anger is the worst-favouredst, without all conscience, of any man's in all Sicily; he is even as peevish as a sick monkey, and as waspish as an ill-pleas'd bride the second morning.