Volp. Who’s there? my couch; away! look! Nano, see:
[Exe. And. and Cas.
Send it be Mosca, and with fair return!
Nan. [within.] It is the beauteous madam—
Volp. Would-be—is it?
Nan. The same.
Volp. Now torment on me! Squire her in;
For she will enter, or dwell here for ever;
Nay, quickly. [Retires
to his couch.]—That my fit were past! I fear
A second hell too, that my lothing this
Will quite expel my
appetite to the other:
Would she were taking now her tedious leave.
Lord, how it threats me what I am to
suffer!
Re-enter Nano, with Lady Politick Would-be.
Lady P. I thank you, good sir. ’Pray you signify
Unto your patron, I am here.—This band
Shews not my
neck enough.—I trouble you, sir;
Let me request you, bid one of my women
Come hither to me.—In good
faith, I am drest
Most favourably to-day! It is no matter:
’Tis well enough.—
Enter 1 Waiting-woman.
How they have done this!
Volp. I do feel the fever
Entering in at mine ears; O, for a charm,
To fright it hence!
[Aside.
Lady P. Come nearer: is this curl
In his right place, or this? Why is this higher
Than all the rest? You
have not wash’d your eyes, yet!
Or do they not stand even in your head?
Where is your fellow? call her.
[Exit 1 Woman.
Nan. Now, St. Mark
Deliver us! anon, she’ll beat her women,
Because her nose is red.
Re-enter 1 with 2 Woman.
Lady P. I pray you, view
This tire, forsooth: are all things apt, or no?
1 Wom. One hair a little, here, sticks out, forsooth.
Lady P. Does’t so, forsooth! and where was your dear sight,
When it did so, forsooth! What now! bird-
eyed?
And you, too? ’Pray you, both approach and mend it.
Now, by that light, I muse you are not ashamed!
I,
that have preach’d these things so oft unto you,
Read you the principles, argued all the grounds,
Disputed
every fitness, every grace,
Call’d you to counsel of so frequent dressings—
Nan. More carefully than of your fame or honour.
[Aside.
Lady P. Made you acquainted, what an ample dowry
The knowledge of these things would be unto you,
Able,
alone, to get you noble husbands
At your return: and you thus to neglect it!
Besides you seeing what a
curious nation
The Italians are, what will they say of me?
The English lady cannot dress herself.
Here’s a