Ingen. I have seen another of 'em
Cheat, by this light, at cards, and set her women
To talk to the gentlemen that play'd,
That, so distracted, they might oversee.
Maid. O, fie upon ye! I dare swear you lie.
Ingen. Do not, fair mistress; you will be forsworn.
Maid. You men are all foul-mouth'd: I warrant, you
Talk thus of me and other ladies here
Because we keep the city.
Ingen. O, profane!
That thought would damn me. Will you marry yet?
Maid. No, I will never marry.
Ingen. Shall we then
Couple unlawfully? for indeed this marrying
Is but proclaiming what we mean to do;
Which may be done privately in civil sort,
And none the wiser; and by this white hand,
The rack, strappado, or the boiling boot[76]
Should never force me tell to wrong your honour.
Maid. May I believe this?
Ingen. Let it be your creed.