I prithee, Skalliger, tell me what thou think'st:

9.2775Could any woman of our dignity

9.3776Endure such quips and peremptory taunts

9.4777As I do daily from my doting father?

9.5778Doth't not suffice that I him keep of alms

9.6779Who is not able for to keep himself,

9.7780But, as if he were our better, he should think

9.8781To check and snap me up at every word?

9.9782I cannot make me a new-fashioned gown,

9.10783And set it forth with more than common cost,

9.11784But his old doting, doltish, withered wit

9.12785Is sure to give a senseless check for it.

9.13786I cannot make a banquet extraordinary

9.14787To grace myself and spread my name abroad

9.15788But he, old fool, is captious by and by,

9.16789And saith the cost would well suffice for twice.

9.17790Judge then, I pray, what reason is't that I

9.18791Should stand alone charged with his vain expense

9.19792And that my sister Ragan should go free,

9.20793To whom he gave as much as unto me?

9.21794I prithee, Skalliger, tell me, if thou know,

9.22795By any means to rid me of this woe.

Your many favors still bestowed on me

9.24797Bind me in duty to advise your grace

9.25798How you may soonest remedy this ill.

9.26799The large allowance which he hath from you

9.27800Is that which makes him so forget himself;

9.28801Therefore, abridge it half and you shall see

9.29802That, having less, he will more thankful be,

9.30803For why abundance maketh us forget

9.31804The fountains whence the benefits do spring.

Well, Skalliger, for thy kind advice herein,

9.33806I will not be ungrateful if I live.

9.34807I have restrainèd half his portion already

9.35808And I will presently restrain the other,

9.36809That, having no means to relieve himself,

9.37810He may go seek elsewhere for better help.

Go, viperous woman, shame to all thy sex,

9.39812The heavens no doubt will punish thee for this.

9.40813And me, a villain that, to curry favor,

9.41814Have given the daughter counsel 'gainst the father.

9.42815But us the world doth this experience give:

9.43816That he that cannot flatter cannot live.