Scene 29.
Madam, all the Town condemns you.
And do you condemn me too?
No, Madam: for I am bound, as being your servant, to submit to your will, liking, and pleasure.
Why, the choise is honest: for they may swear I am not ena∣mour'd with his Person: But had he been a fair Youth, or known to be a debanch'd Man, they might have justly condemn'd me, either for my fond Affection and amorous Love, or wilde Choice.
'Faith they may thiak your Choise is wilde, by reason you have chosen out of a Labyrinth, not knowing where his beginning or end is.
Why Virtue is the Beginning, and Happiness, I hope, will be the End.
I wish it may prove so Madam.
But pray tell me, Did you ever hear me speak worse than I did to him?
How do you mean, Madam, in that you gave your self away?
No, in that I did not present my self more Eloquently.
Methought your Speech did not flow so smooth as it was us'd to do, as if your Tongue did know you did commit a fault in granting to his Sute.
No truly; for my desire did out-run my speech: for desiring to speak best to him I loved most, obstructed my Tongue, which made my words run unevenly.
That's a common misfortune: for when any one strives to speak wisely, they most often speak foolishly.
'Tis true; for strife is an enemy to speech: for those that speak not free and easie, never speak well.
For when as Passion wrestles with the Tongue, The Sense is weak, and down the words are slung,