Don. Come, let us go in to your aunt: I must talk with you both together, child.
Hip. I follow you, sir. [Exeunt Gerrard and Don Diego.
Prue. Here's the gentlewoman o' th' next house come to see you, mistress.
Hip. [Aside.] She's come, as if she came expressly to sing the new song she sung last night. I must hear it; for 'tis to my purpose now.—
Enter Lady.
Madam, your servant: I dreamt all night of the song you sung last; the new song against delays in love, Pray, let's hear it again.
Lady. [Sings.]
Since we poor slavish women know
Our men we cannot pick and choose,
To him we like why say we no,
And both our time and lover lose?
With feigned repulses and delays
A lover's appetite we pall;
And if too long the gallant stays,
His stomach's gone for good and all,
Or our impatient amorous guest
Unknown to us away may steal,
And rather than stay for a feast,
Take up with some coarse ready meal
When opportunity is kind,
Let prudent women be so too;
And if the man be to your mind,
Till needs you must, ne'er let him go.
The match soon made is happy still,
For only love has there to do.
Let no one marry 'gainst her will,
But stand off when her parents woo,
And only to their suits be coy:
For she whom jointure can obtain,
To let a fop her bed enjoy,
Is but a lawful wench for gain.
Prue. Your father calls for you, miss. [Steps to the door.
Hip. I come, I come; I must be obedient as long as I am with him. [Pausing.