The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (37 plays, 160 sonnets and 5 Poetry Books With Active Table of Contents)

by William Shakespeare

Des. I have heard it said so. O, these men, these men! Dost thou in conscience think—tell me, Emilia— That there be women do abuse their husbands In such gross kind? Emil. There be some such, no question. Des. Wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world? Emil. Why, would not you? Des. No, by this heavenly light! Emil. Nor I neither by this heavenly light; I might do’t as well i’ th’ dark. Des. Wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world? Emil. The world’s a huge thing; it is a great price For a small vice. Des. [Good] troth, I think thou wouldst not. Emil. [By my] troth, I think I should, and undo’t when I had done[’t]. Marry, I would not do such a thing for a joint-ring, nor for measures of lawn, nor for gowns, petticoats, nor caps, nor any petty exhibition; but, for all the whole world—[’ud’s pity], who would not make her husband a cuckold to make him a monarch? I should venture purgatory for’t. Des. Beshrew me, if I would do such a wrong For the whole world. Emil. Why, the wrong is but a wrong i’ th’ world; and having the world for your labor, ’tis a wrong in your own world, and you might quickly make it right. Des. I do not think there is any such woman. Emil. Yes, a dozen; and as many to th’ vantage as would store the world they play’d for. But I do think it is their husbands’ faults If wives do fall. Say that they slack their duties, And pour our treasures into foreign laps; Or else break out in peevish jealousies, Throwing restraint upon us; or say they strike u...