Part 4 (1/2)
_Wild_. Nay, Master Trueworth, I must needs be gone!
She treats me worse and worse! I am a stock, That words have none to pay her. For her sake I quit the town to-day. I like a jest, But hers are jests past bearing. I am her b.u.t.t, She nothing does but practise on! A plague!-- Fly her shafts ever your way?
_True_. Would they did!
_Wild_. Art mad?--or wishest she should drive thee so?
_True_. Thou knowest her not.
_Wild_. I know not neighbour Constance?
Then know I not myself, or anything Which as myself I know!
_True_. Heigh ho!
_Wild_. Heigh ho!
Why what a burden that for a man's song!
Would fit a maiden that was sick for love.
Heigh ho! Come ride with me to Lincolns.h.i.+re, And turn thy ”Heigh ho!” into ”hilly ho!”
_True_. Nay, rather tarry thou in town with me.
Men sometimes find a friend's hand of avail, When useless proves their own. Wilt lend me thine?
_Wild_. Or may my horse break down in a steeple-chase!
_True_. A steeple-chase. What made thee think of that?
I'm for the steeple--not to ride a race, Only to get there!--nor alone, in sooth, But in fair company.
_Wild_. Thou'rt not in love!
_True_. Heigh ho!
_Wild_. Thou wouldst not marry!
_True_. With your help.
_Wild_. And whom, I prithee?
_True_. Gentle Mistress Constance!
_Wild_. What!--neighbour Constance?--Never did I dream That mortal man would fall in love with her. [Aside.]
In love with neighbour Constance!--I feel strange At thought that she should marry!--[Aside.] Go to church With neighbour Constance! That's a steeple-chase I never thought of. I feel very strange!
What seest in neighbour Constance?
_True_. Lovers' eyes See with a vision proper to themselves; Yet thousand eyes will vouch what mine affirm.
First, then, I see in her the mould express Of woman--stature, feature, body, limb-- Breathing the gentle s.e.x we value most, When most 'tis at antipodes with ours!
_Wild_. You mean that neighbour Constance is a woman.
Why, yes; she is a woman, certainly.
_True_. So much for person. Now for her complexion.