Page 2789 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

Come, lay aside your stitchery. I must have [70] you play the idle housewife
with me this afternoon.

VIRGILIA
No, good madam, I will not out of doors.

VALERIA
Not out of doors?

VOLUMNIA
She shall, she shall.

VIRGILIA
Indeed, no, by your patience. I’ll not over the [75] threshold till my lord

return from the wars.

VALERIA
Fie, you confine yourself most unreasonably. Come, you must go visit the
good lady that lies in.

VIRGILIA
I will wish her speedy strength and visit her with my prayers, but I cannot go
thither. [80]

VOLUMNIA

Why, I pray you?

VIRGILIA

’Tis not to save labour, nor that I want love.

VALERIA
You would be another Penelope. Yet they say all the yarn she spun in
Ulysses’ absence did but fill Ithaca full of moths. Come, I would your cambric
were [85] sensible as your finger, that you might leave pricking it for pity.
Come, you shall go with us.

VIRGILIA