Part 24 (1/2)

LOR. SE. Her husband?

TIB. I hope he needs not be tried here.

BIA. No, dame: he doth it not for need but pleasure.

TIB. Neither for need nor pleasure is he here.

LOR. SE. This is but a device to balk me withal; Soft, who's this?

[ENTER Th.o.r.eLLO.]

BIA. Oh, sir, have I forestall'd your honest market?

Found your close walks? you stand amazed now, do you?

I'faith (I am glad) I have smoked you yet at last; What's your jewel, trow? In: come, let's see her; Fetch forth your housewife, dame; if she be fairer In any honest judgment than myself, I'll be content with it: but she is change, She feeds you fat; she soothes your appet.i.te, And you are well: your wife, an honest woman, Is meat twice sod to you, sir; Oh, you treachour.

LOR. SE. She cannot counterfeit this palpably.

THO. Out on thee, more than strumpet's impudency, Steal'st thou thus to thy haunts? and have I taken Thy bawd and thee, and thy companion, This h.o.a.ry-headed letcher, this old goat, Close at your villainy, and would'st thou 'scuse it, With this stale harlot's jest, accusing me?

Oh, old incontinent, dost thou not shame, When all thy powers in chast.i.ty are spent, To have a mind so hot? and to entice And feed the enticements of a l.u.s.tful woman?

BIA. Out, I defy thee, I, dissembling wretch?

THO. Defy me, strumpet? ask thy pander here, Can he deny it? or that wicked elder.

LOR. SE. Why, hear you, Signior?

THO. Tut, tut, never speak, Thy guilty conscience will discover thee.

LOR. SE. What lunacy is this that haunts this man?

[ENTER GIU.]

GIU. Oh, sister, did you see my cloak?

BIA. Not I, I see none.

GIU. G.o.d's life, I have lost it then, saw you Hesperida?

THO. Hesperida? Is she not at home?

GIU. No, she is gone abroad, and n.o.body can tell me of it at home.

[EXIT.]

THO. O heaven! abroad? what light! a harlot too!

Why? why? hark you, hath she, hath she not a brother?

A brother's house to keep, to look unto?

But she must fling abroad, my wife hath spoil'd her, She takes right after her, she does, she does, Well, you goody bawd and -- [ENTER COB.]