Bout. Within this hour.
W. Small. Let me alone for the rest: if I gull not
And go beyond my open-throated lawyer,
For all his book-cases of Tricesimo nono
And Quadragesima octavo, let me,
Like waiting gentlewomen, be ever bound
To sit upon my heels, and pick rushes.
Will you about this gear?
Bout. With my best speed.
W. Small. Then fare you well; you'll meet me?
Bout. Without fail.
[Exeunt Boutcher and Page.[329]
W. Small. Adieu. Now, you pernicious cockatrice,[330]
You see how I must skelder for your good:
I'll bring you where you shall have means to cheat,
If you have grace enough to apprehend it.
Fran. Believe me, love, howe'er some stricter wits
Condemn all women which are prone to love,
And think that if their favour fall on any,
By consequence they must be naught with many,
And hold a false position: that a woman,
False to herself, can trusty be to no man—
Yet no, I say: howe'er my life hath, lost
The fame which my virginity aspir'd,
I will be true to thee: my deed shall move
To win from all men pity, if not love.
W. Small. Tut, I know thee a good rascal; lets in,
And on with all your neat and finest rags:
On with your cloak, and safeguard,[331] you arrant drab!
You must cheat without all conscience, filch for thee and me.
Do but thou act what I shall well contrive,
We'll teach my lawyer a new way to thrive. [Exeunt.
Enter Mistress Taffata and Adriana her maid, above.