Vows for thee broke deserve not punishment.
A woman I forswore; but I will prove, 64
Thou being a goddess, I forswore not thee:
My vow was earthly, thou a heavenly love;
Thy grace, being gain'd, cures all disgrace in me.
Vows are but breath, and breath a vapour is: 68
Then thou, fair sun, which on my earth dost shine,
Exhal'st this vapour-vow; in thee it is:
If broken, then, it is no fault of mine:
If by me broke, what fool is not so wise 72
To lose an oath to win a paradise!'
Ber. This is the liver-vein, which makes flesh a deity,
A green goose a goddess; pure, pure idolatry.
God amend us, God amend! we are much out o' the way. 76
Long. By whom shall I send this?—Company! stay.
[Steps aside.]
Enter Dumaine.
Ber. All hid, all hid; an old infant play.
Like a demi-god here sit I in the sky,
And wretched fools' secrets heedfully o'er-eye. 80
More sacks to the mill! O heavens! I have my wish.
Dumaine transform'd: four woodcocks in a dish!
Dum. O most divine Kate!
Ber. O most profane coxcomb! 84
Dum. By heaven, the wonder of a mortal eye!
Ber. By earth, she is not, corporal; there you lie.
Dum. Her amber hairs for foul have amber quoted.
Ber. An amber-colour'd raven was well noted. 88
74 liver-vein: i.e. style of a man in love (the liver being the supposed seat of the affections)
78 All hid: i.e. as in the game of hide and seek
82 woodcocks: proverbially silly birds
87 quoted: set down, regarded
