Even thy leman, if Love tripped thy feet.
Yea, often to thy bastards would I hold
My breast, that I might give thee none offence. 225
So doing, I drew with cords of wifely love
My lord:—but thou for jealous fear forbiddest
Even gloaming's dews to drop upon thy lord!
Seek not to o'erpass in lavishness of love
Thy mother, lady. Daughters in whom dwells 230
Discretion, ought to flee vile mothers' paths.
Chorus.
Mistress, so far as lightly thou may'st do,
Deign to make truce with her from wordy strife.
Hermione.
And speak'st thou loftily, and wranglest thou,
As thou wert continent, I of continence void? 235
Andromache.
Void?—Yea, if thou be judged by this thy claim.
Hermione.
Never in my breast thy discretion dwell!
Andromache.
A young wife thou for such immodest words.
Hermione.
Words?—thine are deeds, to the uttermost of thy power.
