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418

SHAKESPEARE'S MAIDENS AND WOMEN.

THE ABBESS. [COMEDY OF ERRORS, Act V. Scene i.'j Adr. It was the copy of our conference : In bed, he slept not for my urging it ; At board, he fed not for my urging it ; Alone, it was the subject of my theme ; In company, I often glanced it ; Still did I tell him it was vile and bad. Abb. And thereof came it, that thy man was mad : The venom clamours of a jealous woman Poison more deadly than a mad dog's tooth. It seems, his sleep was hinder'd by thy railing : And therefore comes it, that his head is light. Thou say'st, his meat was sauced by thy upbraiding* Unquiet meals make ill digestions, Tliereof the raging fire of fever bred ; And what's a fever but a fit of madness? Thou say'st his sports were hinder'd by thy brawls : Sweet recreation barr'd, what doth ensue, But moody and dull melancholy, (Kinsman to grim ami comfortless despair ;) And, at her heels, a huge infectious troop Of pale distempemtures, and foes to liie ? In food, in sport, and life-preserving rest To be disturb'd, would mad or man, or beast ; The consequence is then, thy jealous fits Have scared thy husband from the use of wits.

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