Lov.  Though time prolongs, we cannot style it sloath:  My vowes are firme; hees damd that breaks an oath.

Thu.  Good, good, agen:  but the oath I treat on, Is of another kind:  tis to a woman.

Lov.  It could not be her fault; there’s a mistake in’t.

Thu.  None o’my life, theres none.

Lov.  Let me see, let me see:  No, twas not hers, twas Grimeses knavery.

Thu.  Ha, whether did wild fancy lead my apprehension.  He minds me not but is in disputation With his owne thoughts.

Lov.  Wilt thou pledge me ii cuppes?  Why, goe to and goe to, then. 
Ha to thee, ha, sirra Grimes! 
—­When man gainst man conspire to doe evill,
For what Society is a fitt!

Thu.  The Devill. [Claps him on the shoulder.

Lov.  Oh helpe, helpe![106] [Exit.

    Enter Lady.

Lady.  I hope, sir,
Noe occasion offerd in my house
Breedes your distast; I should be sorry if
It be soe, and conceald from me.

Thu.  Your goodnes
Is to nice ore me; Ime exceeding well;
Only some erring cogitations
Trouble my braine a little.

Lady.  Tis much pitty
Distraction should have roome in you; I would
Not for the love you beare my daughter, have you
Be discont[ent]ed here.

Thu.  And your daughter Repayes me kindly fort.

Lady.  Surely her breeding Affords her better manners then to iniure A gent[leman] of your deservings?

Thu.  Alas, she has not: 
Twas but an unkindness triviall
Mong freinds not worth the nameing.

Lady.  It was to much
Wert but an ill looke.  If I may so far,
Without immodesty, entreat the knowledge
Of what it was Ile chide her for’t.  Pray, sir,—­
We women are bold suitors; by your looke
It is no meane perplexity her folly
Has cast upon your temper,—­pray, disclose it;
And ift be anything the obedience
She owes to me may countermand, she shall
Repent her error.

Thu.  Your humanity
Would wrest a secret from me, though my life
Consisted ith concealment:  she has abolishd
Her protestations to me, murdred vowes
Which like the blood of Innocents will pull
Cloudes of black vengeance on her, for no cause
I can imagine but her humor; banishd
Me her society and sight for ever.[107]

Lady.  Tis above wonder:  could I as well rule
Her will as her exterior actions,
She should not thus reject you; but I cannot
Limitt her mind, compell her to affect
Against her liking.  If perswations may
Reduse her, Ile endevour it.

Thu.  Twilbe needles;
I am resolvd to meet her in revolt,
Hug infidelity with as strong a faith
As she can possible; and if mans mallice
Can passe a womans, my dispight shall winne
Preheminence.  I will inquire out one
By nature framd in scorne of bewty, and
In your perfidious daughters presence give her
That heart which she reiected.