Act II

SCENE I.—Antechamber to Evadne’s Bedroom in the Palace.

Enter EVADNE, ASPATIA, DULA, and other Ladies.

Dula. Madam, shall we undress you for this fight?
The wars are nak’d that you must make to-night.

Evad. You are very merry, Dula.

Dula. I should be merrier far, if ’twere
With me as ’tis with you.

Evad. How’s that?

Dula. That I might go to bed with him
With the credit that you do.

Evad. Why, how now, wench?

Dula. Come, ladies, will you help?

Evad. I am soon undone.

Dula. And as soon done:
Good store of clothes will trouble you at both.

Evad. Art thou drunk, Dula?

Dula. Why, here’s none but we.

Evad. Thou think’st belike, there is no modesty
When we’re alone.

Dula. Ay, by my troth, you hit my thoughts aright.

Evad. You prick me, lady.

Dula. ’Tis against my will.
Anon you must endure more, and lie still;
You’re best to practise.

Evad. Sure, this wench is mad.

Dula. No, ’faith, this is a trick that I have had
Since I was fourteen.

Evad. ’Tis high time to leave it.

Dula. Nay, now I’ll keep it, till the trick leave me.
A dozen wanton words, put in your head,
Will make you livelier in your husband’s bed.

Evad. Nay, ’faith, then take it.

Dula. Take it, madam? where?
We all, I hope, will take it, that are here.

Evad. Nay, then, I’ll give you o’er.

Dula. So will I make
The ablest man in Rhodes, or his heart ache.

Evad. Wilt take my place to-night?

Dula. I’ll hold your cards ’gainst any two I know.

Evad. What wilt thou do?

Dula. Madam, we’ll do’t, and make ’em leave play too.