Page:Works of Sir John Suckling.djvu/243

] Gra. Villanor! welcome, welcome, whence camest thou?

Vil. Look,

I wear the king's highway still on my boots.

Gra. A pretty riding phrase—and how, and how?

Ladies cheap?

Vil. Faith, reasonable; those toys were never dear,

Thou know'st: a little time and industry

They'll cost, but, in good faith, not much: some few

There are, that set themselves at mighty rates.

Gra. Which we o' th' wise pass by, as things o'ervalued

In the market. Is't not so?

Vil. Y'have said, sir. Hark you,

Your friend and rival's married, has obtained

The long-lov'd lady, and is such an ass after't.

Gra. Hum! 'tis ever so. The motions of married people

are as of other naturals—violent gentlemen to the place,

and calm in it.

Mar. We know this too, and yet we must be fooling.

Gra. Faith, women are the baggage of life: they are troublesome,

And hinder us in the great march; and yet

We cannot be without 'em.

Mar. You speak very well

And soldier-like.

Gra. What?

Thou art a wit too, I warrant, in our absence?

Vil. Hum! No, no, a poor pretender,

A candidate or so,—'gainst the next Sessions—

Wit enough to laugh at you here.

Gra. Like enough;

Valour's a crime the wise have still reproached

Unto the valiant, and the fools too.

Vil. Raillerie à part, Grainevert, what accommodation shall we find here?

Gra. Clean straw, sweetheart, and meat—when thou canst get it.

Vil. Hum! straw?

Gra. Yes, that's all will be betwixt incest;

You and your mother Earth must lie together.

Vil. Prithee, let us be serious; will this last?