Page 71
Scene 33.
Pray tell me, what manner of Country is Italy?
In short, Madam, there is more Summer than Winter, more Fruit than Meat, and more meat than Hospitality.
Why Captain, fruit is meat.
I mean flesh-meat.
Out upon that Country, that hath neither Flesh nor Hospi∣tality! But Captain, what are the natures, dispositions, and manners of the Italians?
In general, Madam, thus, their natures, dispositions, and manners are, as generally all other people of every other Nation are, for the generali∣ty of every Nation are alike, in natures, dispositions and persons; that is, some are of good, and some are of bad, some handsom, and some ill-favou∣red; but for the most part, there are more ill-favoured than handsom, more soul than fair, and the general manner of the whole World is, to offer more than present, to promise more than perform, to be more faigning than real, more courtly than friendly, more treacherous than trusty, more covetous than generous, and yet more prodigal than covetous; but as for the Italians, they are more luxurious than gluttonous, and they love pleasures more than Heaven.
They have reason, by my troth; for who can tell whether in Ioves Mansion, there are so many sweet and delightfull pleasures, as in this World: But Captain, you do not tell me what pleasure the women have in Italy?
Those women that are married, are restrain'd and barr'd from all courtly pleasure, or as I may say, the pleasure of Courtships; but the Cour∣tezans have liberty to please themselves, and to be their own carvers.
And there is nothing I love so well, as to carve both for my self and others.
And there is no Nation in the World, so curious, and ingenuous in the art of carving, as the Italians.
I am resolved to go into Italy, if it be but to learn the art of carving, but I will leave my Husband behind me; for you say, wives have not that free liberty of carving, and if I leave my Husband, I may pass for a Widow, though not for a maid.
But Madam, you are past your travelling years, for the best time for women to travel, is about twenty.
By your favour, Sir, a woman never grows old, if she can but conceal her age, and say she is young.
But she must often repeat it.
She must so, which she may easily do, talking much, for women wants not words, neither are we sparing of them; But Captain, I must intreat your company, for you are acquainted with the Country, and hath the experience of the humours and natures of that people, and having been a Souldier and a Traveller, will not be to seek in the wayes of our jour∣ney.