COUNTESS Wilt thou needs be a beggar?
Clown I do beg your good will in this case.
COUNTESS In what case?
Clown In Isbel's case and mine own. Service is no
heritage: and I think I shall never have the
blessing of God till I have issue o' my body; for
they say barnes are blessings.
COUNTESS Tell me thy reason why thou wilt marry.
Clown My poor body, madam, requires it: I am driven on
by the flesh; and he must needs go that the devil drives.
COUNTESS Is this all your worship's reason?
Clown Faith, madam, I have other holy reasons such as they
are.
COUNTESS May the world know them?
Clown I have been, madam, a wicked creature, as you and
all flesh and blood are; and, indeed, I do marry
that I may repent.
COUNTESS Thy marriage, sooner than thy wickedness.
Clown I am out o' friends, madam; and I hope to have
friends for my wife's sake.
COUNTESS Such friends are thine enemies, knave.
Clown You're shallow, madam, in great friends; for the
knaves come to do that for me which I am aweary of.
He that ears my land spares my team and gives me
leave to in the crop; if I be his cuckold, he's my
drudge: he that comforts my wife is the cherisher
of my flesh and blood; he that cherishes my flesh
and blood loves my flesh and blood; he that loves my
flesh and blood is my friend: ergo, he that kisses
my wife is my friend.
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