WILL. What? These are riddles sure: art thou then bound to her?
DICK. Bound as I neither power have, nor would have power, to stir.
WILL. Who bound thee?
DICK. Love, my lord.
WILL. What witnesses thereto?
DICK. Faith in myself, and Worth in her, which no proof can undo.
WILL. What seal?
DICK. My heart deep graven.
WILL. Who made the band so fast?
DICK. Wonder that, by two so black eyes the glitt'ring stars be
past.
WILL. What keepeth safe thy band?
DICK. Remembrance is the chest
Lock'd fast with knowing that she is of worldly things the best.
WILL. Thou late of wages plain'dst: what wages may'sh thou have?
DICK. Her heavenly looks, which more and more do give me cause to
crave.
WILL. If wages make you want, what food is that she gives?
DICK. Tear's drink, sorrow's meat, wherewith not I, but in me my
death lives.
WILL. What living get you then?
DICK. Disdain; but just disdain;
So have I cause myself to plain, but no cause to complain.
WILL. What care takes she for thee?
DICK. Her care is to prevent
My freedom, with show of her beams, with virtue, my content.
WILL. God shield us from such dames! If so our dames be sped,
The shepherds will grow lean I trow, their sheep will be ill-fed.
But Dick, my counsel mark: run from the place of woo:
The arrow being shot from far doth give the smaller blow.
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