Many are honest because they know not how to be
dishonest: she thought there was no pleasure in stolen
bread, because there was no pleasure in an old man’s
bed. It is almost impossible that any woman should be
excellently witty, and not make the utmost penny of her
beauty. This age and this country of ours admits of some
miraculous exceptions, but former times are my constant
informers. Those that have quick motions of wit have quick
motions in everything; iron only needs many strokes; only
iron wits are not won without a long siege of entreaty.
Gold easily bends, the most ingenious minds are easiest
moved, Ingenium nobis molle Thalia dedit, saith Sapho to
Phao. Who hath no merciful mild mistress, I will maintain
hath no witty, but a clownish dull phlegmatic puppy to his
mistress.