What forgeries you please; marry, none so rank
As may dishonour him; take heed of that; 21
But, sir, such wanton, wild, and usual slips
As are companions noted and most known
To youth and liberty.
Rey. As gaming, my lord? 24
Pol. Ay, or drinking, fencing, swearing, quarrelling,
Drabbing; you may go so far.
Rey. My lord, that would dishonour him.
Pol. Faith, no; as you may season it in the charge. 28
You must not put another scandal on him,
That he is open to incontinency;
That's not my meaning; but breathe his faults so quaintly
That they may seem the taints of liberty, 32
The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind,
A savageness in unreclaimed blood,
Of general assault.
Rey. But, my good lord,—
Pol. Wherefore should you do this?
Rey. Ay, my lord, 36
I would know that.
Pol. Marry, sir, here's my drift;
And, I believe, it is a fetch of warrant:
You laying these slight sullies on my son,
As 'twere a thing a little soil'd i' the working, 40
Mark you,
20 forgeries: invented tales
rank: excessive
22 wanton: unrestrained
26 Drabbing: associating with immoral women
30 incontinency: habitual loose behavior
31 quaintly: ingeniously
32 taints of liberty: blemishes due to freedom
34 unreclaimed: untamed
35 Of general assault: to which all are liable; cf. n.
38 fetch of warrant: justifiable trick
39 sulllies: blemishes
