( 32 )
him Courage, or you spoil all. Come, come, adzooks, the Women of this Age are not to be taught these Lessons.
Lad. Dor. Fy! I blush for the Follies of my Sex.
Sir Toby. Blushing do's infinitely become your Ladyship—Then there is the Secret of Secrets, the Never-failing Elixir of Love———
Lad. Dor. Hold, hold, Sir Toby—may it become my Modesty to hear it?
Sir Toby. Adzooks, I don't know what your Modesty may be; but if 'tis so troublesom, I can hold my Tongue.
Lad. Dor. No, no, speak; you're too well bred, to say any thing you shou'd not.
Sir Toby. Then this mighty Secret is Keeping. The Men naturally love receiving better than paying; and since some great Ladies of late have us'd them to it, it is with great difficulty that they part with their very Halfcrown, or give the poor Chambermaid her Fee.
Lad. Dor. A Woman, and Keep! O hideous!
Sir Toby. Ay, igad, or resolve to lie alone. Why yonder's my Lady Homely, 'tis hard to remember when she was young, and yet her doors are always blockt up with Coaches and Chairs; whil'st in the mean time my Lady Lovely scarce receives a Visit from morning to night, and yet is the most beautiful Woman in Town.
Lad. Dor. And what say you is the Reason of this?
Sir Toby. The Reason is plain: The first gives to her Gallants, what the other reserves for a Portion for a Daughter, or bestows in charitable Uses to the Poor. Besides, it has been always the fashion for great Ladies when they are a little turn'd of their Prime; and your Ladyship is too considerable to be out at any thing that's a fashion.
Lad. Dor. 'Tis true, a Woman of Quality shou'd be in all the Fashions: But pray inform me, how is this Keeping? Do Men of Quality take Money? Or is it by Presents of jewels, and such things?
Sir Toby. Nothing like ready Money, adzooks. A thousand Guinea's in ready Cash, tickles a young Fellow beyond a Jewel
