Act 2

Scene 2.1

U

With us, for all the blowes thee giuen; When we, whose vertue conquer'd thee, Thus, by thy vices, ruin'd be.

I

Those Roomes do smell extremely; Bring my glasse, And table hither, Galla.

K

Madame.

I

Looke

Within, in my blew Cabinet, for the pearle I had sent me last, and bring it.

K

That from Clodius?

I

From Caius Cæsar. You are for Clodius, still.

Or Curius. Sirha, if Quintus Curius come, I am not in fit moode; I keepe my Chamber: Give warning so, without.

K

Is this it? Madame.

I

Yes, helpe to hang it in mine eare.

K

Beleeue me,

It is a rich one, Madame.

I

I hope so:

It should not be worne there else. Make an end, And binde my haire up.

K

As it was yesterday?

I

No, nor the the other day. When knew you me Appeare, two dayes together, in one dressing?

K

Will you have it in the globe, or spire?

I

How thou wilt;

Any way, so thou wilt do it, good Impertinence.

Thy company, if I slept not very well A nights, would make me, an errant foole, with questions.

K

Alas Madam.

I

Nay gentle halfe of the Dialogue, cease.

K

I do it, indeed, but for your exercise, As your Phisician bids me.

I

How! Does he bid you

To anger me for exercise?

K

Not to anger you,

But stirre your blood a little: There is difference Betweene luke-warme, and boyling, Madame.

I

Ioue!

She meanes to cooke me, I think? Pray you, have done.

K

I meane to dresse you, Madame.

I

O my Iuno,

Be friend to me! Offring at wit, too? Why, Galla!

Where hast thou been.

K

Why, Madame?

I

What hast thou done

With thy poore innocent selfe?

K

Wherefore, sweet Madam?

I

Thus to come forth, so sodainly, a wit-worme?

K

It pleases you to flout one. I did dreame Of Ladie Sempronia.

I

O, the wonder is out.

That did infect thee? Well, and how?

K

Me thought,

She did discourse the best.

I

That euer thou heard'st?

K

Yes.

I

In thy sleepe? Of what was her discourse?

K

Of the Republicke, Madame, and the State, And how she was in debt, and where she meant To raise fresh summes: She is a great States-woman.

I

Thou dreamp'tst all this?

K

No, but you know she is Madame,

And both a Mistresse of the Latine tongue, And of the Greeke.

I

Aye, but I neuer dreampt it, Galla, As thou hast done, and therefore you must pardon me.

K

Indeede, you mocke me, Madame.

I

Indeede, no.

Forth with your learned Ladie: She has a wit, too?

K

A very masculine one.

I

A she-Criticke, Galla?

And can compose, in verse, and make quicke iests, Modest, or otherwise?

K

Yes Madame.

I

She can sing, too?

And play on Instruments?

K

Of all kindes, they say.

I

And doth dance rarely?

K

Excellent. So well,

As a bald Senator made a iest, and said, It was better, then an honest woman neede.

I

Tut, she may beare that. Few wise womens honesties Will do their courtship hurt.

K

She is liberall too, Madam.

I

What of her money, or her honor, pray thee?

K

Of both, you know not which she doth spare least.

I

A comely commendation.

K

Troth, it is pitty

She is in yeares.

I

Why Galla?

K

For it is.

I

O, is that all? I thought thou hadst had a reason.

K

Why so I have. She has beene a fine Ladie, And, yet, she dresses herselfe, (except you Madame) One of the best in Rome: and paints, and hides Her decayes very well.

I

They say, it is

Rather a visor, then a face she weares.

K

They wrong her verily Madame, she does sleeke With crums of bread, and milke, and lies a nights In as neate gloues. But she is faine of late To seeke, more then she is sought to (the fame is) And so spends that way.

I

Thou knowst all. But Galla,

What say you to Catilines Ladie, Orestilla?

There is the Gallant.

K

She does well. She has

Very good sutes, and very rich: but, then, She cannot put them on. She knowes not, how To weare a garment. You shall have her all Iewels, and gold sometimes, so that her selfe Appeares the least part of her selfe. No in troth, As I liue, Madame, you put them all downe With your meere strength of iudgement; and do draw, too, The world of Rome to follow you: you attire Your selfe so diuersly, and with that spirit, Still to the noblest humors. They could make Loue to your dresse, although your face were away, they say.

I

And body too, and have the better match of it?

Say they not so too, Galla? Now! What newes

Trauailes your count'nance with?

W

If it please you, Madam

The Ladie Sempronia is lighted at the gate; K

Castor, my dreame, my dreame.

W

And comes to see you.

K

For Venus sake, good Madame see her.

I

Peace

The foole is wild, I think.

K

And heare her talke,

Sweet Madame, of State-matters, and the Senate.