Volume Iii Part 80 (1/2)
L. _Ful_. That's your fault, Sir, not mine.
Sir _Cau_. But being so, if I shou'd be good-natur'd, and give thee leave to love discreetly--
L. _Ful_. I'd do't without your leave, Sir.
Sir _Cau_. Do't--what, cuckold me?
L. _Ful_. No, love discreetly, Sir, love as I ought, love honestly.
Sir _Cau_. What, in love with any body, but your own Husband?
L. _Ful_. Yes.
Sir _Cau_. Yes, quoth a--is that your loving as you ought?
L. _Ful_. We cannot help our Inclinations, Sir, No more than Time, or Light from coming on-- But I can keep my Virtue, Sir, intire.
Sir _Cau_. What, I'll warrant, this is your first Love, _Gayman_?
L. _Ful_. I'll not deny that Truth, though even to you.
Sir _Cau_. Why, in consideration of my Age, and your Youth, I'd bear a Conscience--provided you do things wisely.
L. _Ful_. Do what thing, Sir?
Sir _Cau_. You know what I mean--
L. _Ful_. Hah--I hope you wou'd not be a Cuckold, Sir.
Sir _Cau_. Why--truly in a civil way--or so.
L. _Ful_. There is but one way, Sir, to make me hate you; And that wou'd be tame suffering.
Sir _Cau_. Nay, and she be thereabouts, there's no discovering.
L. _Ful_. But leave this fond discourse, and, if you must, Let us to Bed.
Sir _Cau_. Ay, ay, I did but try your Virtue, mun--dost think I was in earnest?
_Enter Servant_.
_Serv_. Sir, here's a Chest directed to your Wors.h.i.+p.
Sir _Cau_. Hum, 'tis _Wasteall_--now does my heart fail me--A Chest say you--to me--so late;--I'll warrant it comes from Sir _Nicholas Smuggle_--some prohibited Goods that he has stoln the Custom of, and cheated his Majesty--Well, he's an honest Man, bring it in--
[_Exit Servant_.
L. _Ful_. What, into my Apartment, Sir, a nasty Chest!
Sir _Cau_. By all means--for if the Searchers come, they'll never be so uncivil to ransack thy Lodgings; and we are bound in Christian Charity to do for one another--Some rich Commodities, I am sure--and some fine Knick-knack will fall to thy share, I'll warrant thee --Pox on him for a young Rogue, how punctual he is! [_Aside_.