Per. ’My faith, that’s much.

Sir P. Nay, sir, conceive me. It will cost me in onions,
Some thirty livres—

Per. Which is one pound sterling.

Sir P. Beside my water-works: for this I do, sir
First, I bring in your ship ’twixt two brick walls;
But those the state shall venture: On the one
I strain me a fair tarpauling, and in that
I stick my onions, cut in halves: the other
Is full of loop-holes, out at which I thrust
The noses of my bellows; and those bellows
I keep, with water-works, in perpetual motion,
Which is the easiest matter of a hundred.
Now, sir, your onion, which doth naturally
Attract the infection, and your bellows blowing
The air upon him, will show, instantly,
By his changed colour, if there be contagion;
Or else remain as fair as at the first.
—Now it is known, ’tis nothing.

Per. You are right, sir.

Sir P. I would I had my note.

Per. ’Faith, so would I:
But you have done well for once, sir.

Sir P. Were I false,
Or would be made so, I could shew you reasons
How I could sell this state now to the Turk,
Spite of their gallies, or their—

Per. Pray you, sir Pol.

Sir P. I have them not about me.

Per. That I fear’d:
They are there, sir.

Sir P. No, this is my diary,
Wherein I note my actions of the day.

[Reads

Per. Pray you, let’s see, sir. What is here? Notandum,
A rat had gnawn my spur-leathers; notwithstanding,
I put on new, and did go forth: but first
I threw three beans over the threshold. Item,
I went and bought two tooth-picks, whereof one
I burst immediately, in a discourse
With a Dutch merchant, ’bout ragion del stato.
From him I went and paid a moccinigo
For piecing my silk stockings; by the way
I cheapen’d sprats; and at St. Mark’s I urined.
’Faith these are politic notes!

Sir P. Sir, I do slip
No action of my life, but thus I quote it.

Per. Believe me, it is wise!

Sir P. Nay, sir, read forth.

Enter, at a distance, Lady Politick Would-be, Nano, and two Waiting-women.

Lady P. Where should this loose knight be, trow? sure he’s housed.

Nan. Why, then he’s fast.

Lady P. Ay, he plays both with me.
I pray you stay. This heat will do more harm
To my complexion, than his heart is worth.
(I do not care to hinder, but to take him.)
How it comes off!

[Rubbing her cheeks.