No, sir, do not take it so to heart: she does not refuse you, no but a little neglect you. Good faith, Truewit, you were to blame to put it into his head, that she does refuse him.

TRU. She does refuse him, sir, palpably: however you mince it. An' I were as he, I would swear to speak ne'er a word to her today for't.

DAW. By this light, no more I will not.

TRU. Nor to anybody else, sir.

DAW. Nay, I will not say so, gentlemen.

CLE. It had been an excellent happy condition for the company, if you could have drawn him to it.

DAW. I'll be very melancholic, i' faith.

CLE. As a dog, if I were as you, Sir John.

TRU. Or a snail, or a hog-louse: I would roll myself up for this day, in troth, they should not unwind me.

DAW. By this pick-tooth, so I will.

CLE. 'Tis well done: he begins already to be angry with his teeth.

DAW. Will you go, gentlemen?

CLE. Nay, you must walk alone, if you be right melancholic, Sir John.

TRU. Yes, sir, we'll dog you, we'll follow you afar off.

 

Exit Daw

 

CLE. Was there ever such a two yards of knighthood, measured out by Time, to be sold to laughter?

TRU. A mere talking mole! Hang him: no mushroom was ever so fresh. A fellow so utterly nothing, as he knows not what he would be.

CLE. Let's follow him: but first, let's go to Dauphine, he's hovering about the house, to hear what news.

TRU. Content.

 

Exeunt

 

 

Scene 5

Morose's house

 

Enter Morose, Epicoene, Cutbeard, Mute

 

MOR. Welcome, Cutbeard; draw near with your fair charge: and in her ear, softly entreat her to unmask (––) So. Is the door shut? (––) Enough. Now, Cutbeard, with the same discipline I use to my family, I will question you. As I conceive, Cutbeard, this gentlewoman is she you have provided and brought, in hope she will fit me in the place and person of a wife? Answer me not, but with your leg, unless it be otherwise: (––) Very well done, Cutbeard. I conceive, besides, Cutbeard, you have been pre-acquainted with her birth, education, and qualities, or else you would not prefer her to my acceptance, in the weighty consequence of marriage. (––) This I conceive, Cutbeard. Answer me not but with your leg, unless it be otherwise. (––) Very well done, Cutbeard. Give aside now a little, and leave me to examine her condition and aptitude to my affection.