ward me, drest up for the duel,
with all the ornaments of the east. Now for the judges of the field,
to divide the sun and wind betwixt the combatants, and a tearing
trumpeter to sound the charge.

_Wood._ It is a private quarrel, to be decided without seconds; and
therefore you would do me a favour to withdraw.

_Brain._ Your Limberham is nearer than you imagine: I left him almost
entering at the door.

_Wood._ Plague of all impertinent cuckolds! they are ever troublesome
to us honest lovers: so intruding!

_Brain._ They are indeed, where their company is not desired.

_Wood._ Sure he has some tutelar devil to guard his brows! just when
she had bobbed him, and made an errand home, to come to me!

_Brain._ It is unconscionably done of him. But you shall not adjourn
your love for this: the Brainsick has an ascendant over him; I am your
guarantee; he is doomed a cuckold, in disdain of destiny.

_Wood._ What mean you?

_Brain._ To stand before the door with my brandished blade, and defend
the entrance: He dies upon the point, if he approaches.

_Wood._ If I durst trust it, it is heroic.

_Brain._ It is the office of a friend: I will do it.

_Wood._ [_Aside._] Should he know hereafter his wife were here, he
would think I had enjoyed her, though I had not; it is best venturing
for something. He takes pains enough, on conscience, for his
cuckoldom; and, by my troth, has earned it fairly.--But, may a man
venture upon your promise?

_Brain._ Bars of brass, and doors of adamant, could not more secure
you.

_Wood._ I know it; but still gentle means are best: You may come to
force at last. Perhaps you may wheedle him away: it is but drawing a
trope or two upon him.

_Brain._ He shall have it, with all the artillery of eloquence.

_Wood._ Ay, ay; your figure breaks no bones. With your good leave.--
[_Goes in._

_Brain._ Thou hast it, boy. Turn to him, madam; to her Woodall: and St
George for merry England. _Tan ta ra ra ra, ra ra! Dub, a dub, dub;
Tan ta ra ra ra._

_Enter_ LIMBERHAM.

_Limb._ How now, bully Brainsick! What, upon the _Tan ta ra_, by
yourself?

_Brain._ Clangor, _taratantara,_ murmur.

_Limb._ Commend me to honest _lingua Franca_. Why, this is enough to
stun a Christian, with your Hebrew, and your Greek, and such like
Latin.

_Brain._ Out, ignorance!

_Limb._ Then ignorance, by your leave; for I must enter.