Classic Poem

[ A mistress keeps her lover on his toes ]

CURIUS . Heare me,
You over act when you should underdoe.
A little call your selfe againe, and thinke.
If you doe this to practise on me' or finde
At what forc'd distance you can hold your servant;
That' it be an artificiall trick, to enflame,
And fire me more, fearing my love may neede it,
As, heretofore, you ha' done; why, proceede.
FULVIA . As I ha' done heretofore?
CUR. Yes, when you'ld faine
Your husbands jealousie, your servants watches,
Speake softly, and runne often to the dore,
Or to the windore, forme strange feares that were not;
As if the pleasure were lesse acceptable,
That were secure.
FUL. You are an impudent fellow.
CUR. And, when you might better have done it, at the gate,
To take me in at the casement.
FUL. I take you in?
CUR. Yes, you my lady. And, then, being a bed with you,
To have your well taught wayter, here, come running,
And cry, her Lord, and hide me without cause,
Crush'd in a chest, or thrust up in a chimney.
When he, tame Crow, was winking at his Farme;
Or, had he beene here, and present, would have kept
Both eyes, and beake seal'd up, for sixe sesterces .