LYSIMACHUS.
Why, I cannot name't but I shall offend.
MARINA.
I cannot be offended with my trade. Please you to name it.
LYSIMACHUS.
How long have you been of this profession?
MARINA.
E'er since I can remember?
LYSIMACHUS.
Did you go to't so young? Were you a gamester at five or at
seven?
MARINA.
Earlier, too, sir, if now I be one.
LYSIMACHUS.
Why, the house you dwell in proclaims you to be a creature of
sale.
MARINA.
Do you know this house to be a place of such resort, and will
come into 't? I hear say you are of honourable parts, and are
the governor of this place.
LYSIMACHUS.
Why, hath your principal made known unto you who I am?
MARINA.
Who is my principal?
LYSIMACHUS.
Why, your herb-woman; she that sets seeds and roots of shame and
iniquity. O, you have heard something of my power, and so stand
aloof for more serious wooing. But I protest to thee, pretty one,
my authority shall not see thee, or else look friendly upon thee.
Come, bring me to some private place: come, come.
MARINA.
If you were born to honour, show it now;
If put upon you, make the judgement good
That thought you worthy of it.
LYSIMACHUS.
How 's this? how 's this? Some more; be sage.
MARINA.
For me,
That am a maid, though most ungentle fortune
Have placed me in this sty, where, since I came,
Diseases have been sold dearer than physic,
O, that the gods
Would set me free from this unhallow'd place,
Though they did change me to the meanest bird
That flies i' the purer air!
LYSIMACHUS.
I did not think
Thou couldst have spoke so well; ne'er dream'd thou couldst.
Had I brought hither a corrupted mind,
Thy speech had alter'd it. Hold, here 's gold for thee:
Persever in that clear way thou goest,
And the gods strengthen thee!
MARINA.
The good gods preserve you!
LYSIMACHUS.
For me, be you thoughten
That I came with no ill intent; for to me
The very doors and windows savour vilely.
Fare thee well. Thou art a piece of virtue, and
I doubt not but thy training hath been noble.
Hold, here's more gold for thee.
A curse upon him, die he like a thief,
That robs thee of thy goodness! If thou dost
Hear from me, it shall be for thy good.
[Re-enter Boult.]
BOULT.
I beseech your honour, one piece for me.
LYSIMACHUS.
Avaunt, thou damned door-keeper!
Your house but for this virgin that doth prop it,
Would sink and overwhelm you. Away!
[Exit.]
BOULT.
How's this? We must take another course with you. If your peevish
chastity, which is not worth a breakfast in the cheapest country
under the cope, shall undo a whole household, let me be gelded
like a spaniel. Come your ways.
MARINA.
Whither would you have me?
BOULT.
I must have your maidenhead taken off, or the common hangman
shall execute it. Come your ways. We'll have no more
gentlemen driven away. Come your ways, I say.
[Re-enter Bawd.]
BAWD.
How now! what's the matter?
BOULT.
Worse and worse, mistress; she has here spoken holy words to the
Lord Lysimachus.
BAWD.
O Abominable!
BOULT.
She makes our profession as it were to stink afore the face of
the gods.
BAWD.
Marry, hang her up for ever!