_Venice.--A street._
_Enter_ Lady LENTULUS, ABIGAIL, _and_ THAIS.
_Abi._ Well, madam, you see the destiny that follows marriage:
Our husbands are quiet now, and must suffer the law.
_Tha._ If my husband had been worth the begging,
some courtier would have had him; he might be begg'd[287]
well enough, for he knows not his own wife from another.
_Lady Lent._ O, you're a couple of trusty wenches, to
deceive your husbands thus!
_Abi._ If we had not deceived them thus, we had been
truss'd wenches.
_Tha._ Our husbands will be hang'd, because they think
themselves cuckolds. 11
_Abi._ If all true cuckolds were of that mind, the
hangman would be the richest occupation, and more
wealthy widows than there be younger brothers to marry
them.
_Tha._ The merchant venturers would be a very small
company.
_Abi._ 'Tis twelve to one of that; however the rest
'scape, I shall fear a massacre.
_Tha._ If my husband hereafter, for his wealth, chance
to be dubb'd, I'll have him call'd the knight of the
supposed horn. 22
_Abi._ Faith, and it sounds well.
_Lady Lent._ Come, madcaps, leave jesting, and let's
deliver them out of their earthly purgation; you are the
spirits that torment them; but my love and lord, kind
Mendoza, will lose his life to preserve mine honour, not
for hate to others.
_Abi._ By my troth, if I had been his judge, I should
have hang'd him, for having no more wit; I speak as I
think, for I would not be hang'd for ne'er a man under
the heav'ns. 32
_Tha._ Faith, I think I should for my husband: I do
not hold the opinion of the philosopher, that writes, we
love them best that we enjoy first; for I protest I love
my husband better than any that did know me before.
_Abi._ So do I; yet life and pleasure are two sweet
things to a woman.
_Lady Lent._ He that's willing to die to save mine
honour, I'll die to save his. 40
_Abi._ Tut, believe it who that list, we love a lively
man, I grant you; but to maintain that life I'll ne'er
consent to die.
This is a rule I still will keep in breast,
Love well thy husband, wench, but thyself best!
_Tha._ I have followed your counsel hitherto, and mean
to do still.
_Lady Lent._ Come, we neglect our business; 'tis no jesting;
To-morrow they are executed 'less we reprieve them.
We be their destinies to cast their fate. 50
Let's all go.
_Abi._ I fear not to come late.
[_Exeunt._
[287] _i.e._, he might be _begged for a fool_.--See Nares'
_Glossary_.