Page 388
Scene 19.
Madam, although there is a certain and set Form of making Deeds, Wills, and Leafes, and a Form of Mariage, yet I know no cer∣tain nor set form of VVooing, but every one wooes after what manner or form he pleases or thinks best, having no set rules to wooe by: But I am come here to wooe, and so to plead my own cause at the Bar of Affection, and you, as the Judge, are to give the Sentence, and to determine the Sute: But as all other Judges are to be free from partiality, or self-interest, as neither to be oversw••yd with either fear, pity, love, or covetousness, or the like; yet such a Judge as you, and in the like Causes as mine, may have the freedome of partiality or self-interest: wherefore, if no other plea can perswade you, take me for pity: for I am miserably in Love, manacled in Cupids Fetters, bound with his Bow-strings, and wounded with his golden Arrows, from which nothing but your favour and compassionate sentence can release me, otherwise I must lie under the Arrest of a wretched life, till such time as Death set me free, or cast me into Oblivion.
VVorthy Sir, as there is no certain nor set form of wooing, so there is no certain nor set form for the wooed to give a direct Answer: And though pity may move a Judge to give a favourable sentence, yet there is no Judge will, or ought to make himself a slave, to set a prisoner free; but if such a chance should be, it must be by a stronger motive or passion than pi∣ty, to make them yield up their liberty: And Mariage is a bondage, especi∣ally when as Sympathy doth not match the pair; and if Cupid hath woun∣ded you with his golden Arrows, he hath shot me with those that are head∣ed with lead, from which wounds proceed nothing but cold denials: But howsoever I shall give you part of your desires, which is, I shall pity you, although I cannot perswade my Affections to love you so much as to consent to marry you.