LADY PLYANT. ’Tis my honour that is concerned, and the violation was intended to me. Your honour! You have none but what is in my keeping, and I can dispose of it when I please: therefore don’t provoke me.
SIR PAUL. Hum, gadsbud, she says true. Well, my lady, march on; I will fight under you, then: I am convinced, as far as passion will permit. [Lady Plyant and Sir Paul come up to Mellefont.]
LADY PLYANT. Inhuman and treacherous—
SIR PAUL. Thou serpent and first tempter of womankind.
CYNT. Bless me! Sir, madam, what mean you?
SIR PAUL. Thy, Thy, come away, Thy; touch him not. Come hither, girl; go not near him, there’s nothing but deceit about him. Snakes are in his peruke, and the crocodile of Nilus is in his belly; he will eat thee up alive.
LADY PLYANT. Dishonourable, impudent creature!
MEL. For heav’n’s sake, madam, to whom do you direct this language?
LADY PLYANT. Have I behaved myself with all the decorum and nicety befitting the person of Sir Paul’s wife? Have I preserved my honour as it were in a snow-house for these three years past? Have I been white and unsullied even by Sir Paul himself?
SIR PAUL. Nay, she has been an invincible wife, even to me; that’s the truth on’t.