fool!

_Mod_. In what?

_Helen_. In that:
To call that thing an art, which art is none.

_Mod_. And is not love an art?

_Helen_. Are you a fool,
As well as Ovid? Love an art! No art
But taketh time and pains to learn. Love comes
With neither! Is't to hoard such grain as that,
You went to college? Better stay at home,
And study homely English.

_Mod_. Nay, you know not
The argument.

_Helen_. I don't? I know it better
Than ever Ovid did! The face--the form--
The heart--the mind we fancy, cousin; that's
The argument! Why, cousin, you know nothing.
Suppose a lady were in love with thee:
Couldst thou by Ovid, cousin, find it out?
Couldst find it out, wast thou in love thyself?
Could Ovid, cousin, teach thee to make love?
I could, that never read him! You begin
With melancholy; then to sadness; then
To sickness; then to dying--but not die!
She would not let thee, were she of my mind!
She'd take compassion on thee. Then for hope;
From hope to confidence; from confidence
To boldness;--then you'd speak; at first entreat;
Then urge; then flout; then argue; then enforce;
Make prisoner of her hand; besiege her waist;
Threaten her lips with storming; keep thy word
And carry her! My sampler 'gainst thy Ovid!
Why cousin, are you frightened, that you stand
As you were stricken dumb? The case is clear,
You are no soldier. You'll ne'er win a battle.
You care too much for blows!

_Mod_. You wrong me there,
At school I was the champion of my form;
And since I went to college--

_Helen_. That for college!

_Mod_. Nay, hear me!

_Helen_. Well? What, since you went to college?
You know what men are set down for, who boast
Of their own bravery! Go on, brave cousin:
What, since you went to college? Was there not
One Quentin Halworth there? You know there was,
And that he was your master!

_Mod_. He my master!
Thrice was he worsted by me.

_Helen_. Still was he
Your master.

_Mod_. He allowed I had the best!
Allowed it, mark me! nor to me alone,
But twenty I could name.

_Helen_. And mastered you
At last! Confess it, cousin, 'tis the truth!
A proctor's daughter you did both affect--
Look at me and deny it! Of the twain
She more affected you;--I've caught you now,
Bold cousin! Mark you? opportunity
On opportunity she gave you, sir--
Deny it if you can!--but though to others,
When you discoursed of her, you were a flame;
To her you were a wick that would not light,
Thoug