Wid. You argue like an atheist: man is never
The prince of creatures, as you call him now,
But in his reason; fail that, he is worse
Than horse, or dog, or beast of wilderness;
And 'tis that reason teacheth us to do
Our actions unlike them: then, that which you
Termed in them a privilege beyond us,
The baseness of their being doth express,
Compar'd to ours: horses, bulls and swine
Do leap their dams; because man does not so,
Shall we conclude his making[117] happiless?
Bold. You put me down—yet will not put me down.
I am too gentle: some of you, I have heard,
Love not these words, but force; to have it done,
As they sing prick-song, ev'n at the first sight.
Wid. Go to: keep off; by heaven and earth, I'll call else!
Bold. How, if nobody hear you?
Wid. If they do not,
I'll kill you with mine own hand; never stare:
Or failing that, fall on this sword myself.
Bold. O widow wonderful! if thou be'st not honest,
Now God forgive my mother and my sisters.
Think but how finely, madam, undiscover'd
For ever I[118] might live: all day your gentlewoman
To do you service, but all night your man
To do you service: newness of the trick,
If nothing else, might stir ye.
Wid. 'Tis a stale one,
And was done in the Fleet ten years ago.
Will you begone? the door is open for you.
Bold. Let me but tarry till the morning, madam,
To send for clothes. Shall I go naked home?
Wid. 'Tis best time now; it is but one o'clock,
And you may go unseen: I swear, by heaven,
I would spend all the night to sit and talk w' ye,
If I durst trust you: I do love you so.
My blood forsakes my heart now you depart.
Bold. 'Sheart! will you marry me hereafter, then?