MOR: Out on me! worse.
EPI: No, ladies, you shall not need, I will take him with all his faults.
MOR: Worst of all!
CLER: Why then, "tis no divorce, doctor, if she consent not?
CUT: No, if the man be frigidus, it is de parte uxoris, that we grant libellum divortii, in the law.
OTT: Ay, it is the same in theology.
MOR: Worse, worse than worst!
TRUE: Nay, sir, be not utterly disheartened; we have yet a small relic of hope left, as near as our comfort is blown out. Clerimont, produce your brace of knights. What was that, master parson, you told me in errore qualitatis, e"en now?-- [ASIDE.]
Dauphine, whisper the bride, that she carry it as if she were guilty, and ashamed.
OTT: Marry, sir, in errore qualitatis (which master doctor did forbear to urge,) if she be found corrupta, that is, vitiated or broken up, that was pro virgine desponsa, espoused for a maid--
MOR: What then, sir?
OTT: It doth dirimere contractum, and irritum reddere too.
TRUE: If this be true, we are happy again, sir, once more. Here are an honourable brace of knights, that shall affirm so much.
DAW: Pardon us, good master Clerimont.
LA-F: You shall excuse us, master Clerimont.
CLER: Nay, you must make it good now, knights, there is no remedy; I"ll eat no words for you, nor no men: you know you spoke it to me.
DAW: Is this gentleman-like, sir?
TRUE [ASIDE TO DAW.]: Jack Daw, he"s worse then sir Amorous; fiercer a great deal.
[ASIDE TO LA-FOOLE.]--Sir Amorous, beware, there be ten Daws in this Clerimont.
LA-F: I"ll confess it, sir.
DAW: Will you, sir Amorous, will you wound reputation?
LA-F: I am resolved.
TRUE: So should you be too, Jack Daw: what should keep you off?
she"s but a woman, and in disgrace: he"ll be glad on"t.
DAW: Will he? I thought he would have been angry.
CLER: You will dispatch, knights, it must be done, i"faith.
TRUE: Why, an it must, it shall, sir, they say: they"ll ne"er go back.
[ASIDE TO THEM.]
--Do not tempt his patience.
DAW: It is true indeed, sir?
LA-F: Yes, I a.s.sure you, sir.
MOR: What is true gentlemen? what do you a.s.sure me?
DAW: That we have known your bride, sir--
LA-F: In good fashion. She was our mistress, or so--
CLER: Nay, you must be plain, knights, as you were to me.
OTT: Ay, the question is, if you have carnaliter, or no?
LA-F: Carnaliter! what else, sir?
OTT: It is enough: a plain nullity.
EPI: I am undone, I am undone!
MOR: O, let me worship and adore you, gentlemen!
EPI [WEEPS.]: I am undone!
MOR: Yes, to my hand, I thank these knights.
Master parson, let me thank you otherwise. [GIVES HIM MONEY.]
HAU: And have they confess"d?
MAV: Now out upon them, informers!
TRUE: You see what creatures you may bestow your favours on, madams.
HAU: I would except against them as beaten knights, wench, and not good witnesses in law.
MRS. OTT: Poor gentlewoman, how she takes it!
HAU: Be comforted, Morose, I love you the better for"t.
CEN: so do I, I protest.
CUT: But, gentlemen, you have not known her since matrimonium?
DAW: Not to-day, master doctor.
LA-F: No, sir, not to-day.