Adriana.
Neither my husband, nor the slave return'd,
That in such haste I sent to seek his master!
Sure, Luciana, it is two o' clock.

Luc.
Perhaps, some merchant hath invited him,
And from the mart he's somewhere gone to dinner:
Good sister, let us dine, and never fret.
A man is master of his liberty:
Time is their master; and when they see time,
They'll go or come; if so, be patient, sister.

Adr.
Why should their liberty than ours be more?

Luc.
Because their business still lyes out a-door.

Adr.
Look, when I serve him so, he takes it ill.

Luc.
Oh, know, he is the bridle of your will.

Adr.
There's none, but asses, will be bridled so.

Luc.
Why, head-strong liberty is lasht with wo.
There's nothing situate under heaven's eye,
But hath its bound in earth, in sea, in sky:
The beasts, the fishes, and the winged fowls,
Are their males' subjects, and at their controuls:

Man, more divine, the master of all these,
Lord of the wide world, and wide wat'ry seas,
Indu'd with intellectual sense and soul,
Of more preheminence than fish and fowl,
Are masters to their females, and their lords:
Then let your will attend on their accords.

Adr.
This servitude makes you to keep unwed.

Luc.
Not this, but troubles of the marriage-bed.

Adr.
But were you wedded, you would bear some sway.

Luc.
Ere I learn love, I'll practise to obey.

Adr.
How if your husband start some other where?

Luc.
'Till he come home again, I would forbear.

Adr.
Patience unmov'd, no marvel tho' she pause;
They can be meek, that have no other cause:
A wretched soul, bruis'd with adversity,
We bid be quiet, when we hear it cry;
But were we burden'd with like weight of pain,
As much, or more, we should ourselves complain.
So thou, that hast no unkind mate to grieve thee,
With urging helpless patience would'st relieve me:
But if thou live to see like right bereft,
This fool-begg'd patience in thee will be left.

Luc.
Well, I will marry one day but to try;
Here comes your man, now is your husband nigh.

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