would so prickle one. But do you intend to marry
me?
HEART. That a fool should ask such a malicious question! Death, I shall
be drawn in before I know where I am. However, I find I am pretty sure
of her consent, if I am put to it. [_Aside_.] Marry you? No, no, I'll
love you.
SILV. Nay, but if you love me, you must marry me. What, don't I know my
father loved my mother and was married to her?
HEART. Ay, ay, in old days people married where they loved; but that
fashion is changed, child.
SILV. Never tell me that; I know it is not changed by myself: for I love
you, and would marry you.
HEART. I'll have my beard shaved, it sha'n't hurt thee, and we'll go to
bed--
SILV. No, no, I'm not such a fool neither, but I can keep myself honest.
Here, I won't keep anything that's yours; I hate you now, [_throws the
purse_] and I'll never see you again, 'cause you'd have me be naught.
[_Going_.]
HEART. Damn her, let her go, and a good riddance. Yet so much
tenderness and beauty and honesty together is a jewel. Stay, Silvia--But
then to marry; why, every man plays the fool once in his life. But to
marry is playing the fool all one's life long.
SILV. What did you call me for?
HEART. I'll give thee all I have, and thou shalt live with me in
everything so like my wife, the world shall believe it. Nay, thou shalt
think so thyself--only let me not think so.
SILV. No, I'll die before I'll be your whore--as well as I love you.
HEART. [_Aside_.] A woman, and ignorant, may be honest, when 'tis out
of obstinacy and contradiction. But, s'death, it is but a may be, and
upon scurvy terms. Well, farewell then--if I can get out of sight I may
get the better of myself.
SILV. Well--good-bye. [_Turns and weeps_.]
HEART. Ha! Nay, come, we'll kiss at parting. [_Kisses her_.] By
heaven, her kiss is sweeter than liberty. I will marry thee. There,
thou hast done't. All my resolves melted in that kiss--one more.
SILV. But when?
HEART. I'm impatient until it be done; I will not give myself liberty to
think, lest I should cool. I will about a licence straight--in the
evening expect me. One kiss more to confirm me mad; so.
SILV. Ha, ha, ha, an old fox trapped--
SCENE XI.
[_To her_] LUCY.
Bless me! you frighted me; I thought he had been come again, and had
heard me.
LUCY. Lord, madam, I met your lover in as much haste as if he had been
going for a midwife.
SILV. He's go
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