SCENE IV.[2699

_Enter_ MAQUERELLE, EMILIA, _and_ BIANCA _with a posset_.

_Maq._ Even here it is, three curds in three regions individually distinct, most methodically according to art compos’d, without any drink.

_Bian._ Without any drink! 4

_Maq._ Upon my honour. Will ye sit and eat?

_Emil._ Good; the composure, the receipt, how is ’t?

_Maq._ ’T is a pretty pearl; by this pearl (how does’t with me?[2700]) thus it is: Seven and thirty yolks of Barbary hens’ eggs; eighteen spoonfuls (10) and a half of the juice of cock-sparrow bones; one ounce, three drams, four scruples, and one quarter of the syrup of Ethiopian dates; sweetened with three quarters of a pound of pure candied Indian eringoes; strewed (15) over with the powder of pearl of America, amber of Cataia, and lamb-stones of Muscovia.

_Bian._ Trust me, the ingredients are very cordial, and, no question, good, and most powerful in restoration. 20

_Maq._ I know not what you mean by restoration; but this it doth,—it purifieth the blood, smootheth the skin, enliveneth the eye, strengtheneth the veins, mundifieth[2701] the teeth, comforteth the stomach, fortifieth the back, (25) and quickeneth the wit; that’s all.

_Emil._ By my troth, I have eaten but two spoonfuls, and methinks I could discourse most swiftly and wittily already.

_Maq._ Have you the art to seem honest? 30

_Bian._ Ay, thank advice and practice.

_Maq._ Why, then, eat me o’ this posset, quicken your blood, and preserve your beauty. Do you know Doctor Plaster-face? by this curd, he is the most exquisite in forging of veins, (35) sprightening of eyes, dying of hair, sleeking of skins, blushing of cheeks, surphling[2702] of breasts, blanching and bleaching of teeth, that ever made an old lady gracious by torchlight; by this curd, la. 40

_Bian._ Well, we are resolved, what God has given us we’ll cherish.

_Maq._ Cherish anything saving your husband; keep him not too high, lest he leap the pale: but, for your beauty, let it be your saint; 45 bequeath two hours to it every morning in your closet. I ha’ been young, and yet, in my conscience, I am not above five and twenty: but, believe me, preserve and use your beauty; for youth and beauty once gone, we are like beehives (50) without honey, out-o’-fashion apparel that no man will wear: therefore use me your beauty.

_Emil._ Ay, but men say—

_Maq._ Men say! let men say what they (55) will: life o’ woman! they are ignorant of our wants. The more in years, the more in perfection they grow; if they lose youth and beauty, they gain wisdom and discretion: but when our beauty fades, good-night with us. There 60 cannot be an uglier thing than to see an old woman: from which, O pruning, pinching, and painting, deliver all sweet beauties! [_Music within._]

_Bian._ Hark! music! 64

_Maq._ Peace, ’tis i’ the duchess’ bed-chamber. Good rest, most prosperously-graced ladies.

_Emil._ Good night, sentinel.

_Bian._ Night, dear Maquerelle. _Exeunt all but_ MAQ.

_Maq._ May my posset’s operation send you my wit and honesty; and me, your youth and (70) beauty; the pleasing’st rest! _Exit._