Sub. Nay, I went on. First, quoth I, think how he hath used you—left you no means, given all your clothes to his punks; struck you, turned your grey eyes into black ones, but yet——
Hus. A pretty conceit!
Sub. Quoth I, these things are nothing in the rascal: think but what a base whoremaster the rascal is.
Hus. Did you call me rascal so often, are you sure?
Sub. Yes, and oftener; for, said I, none comes amiss to the rogue. I have known him, quoth I, do three lousy beggars under hedges in the riding of ten mile, and I swore this too.
Hus. 'Twas very well; but you did lie. On, pray.
Sub. Pish! one must lie a little. Now, sir, by this time she began to kiss somewhat more openly and familiarly, her resistance began to slacken, and my assault began to stiffen. The more her bulwark decayed, the more my battery fortified. At last, sir, a little fumbling being passed to make the conquest more difficult, she perceiving my artillery[133] mounted, falls me flat upon her back, cries me out aloud—
Alas! I yield. Use me not roughly, friend;
My fort that, like Troy town, ten years hath stood
Besieg'd and shot at, did remain unwon;
But now 'tis conquer'd. So the deed was done.
Hus. Then came the hottest service. Forward with your tale, sir.
Sub. Nay,