Than I once lov'd, his love! but let him go, [Going. Vas. Mistress, mistress, madam Hippolita! pray, a word or two. Hip. With me, sir? Vas. With you, if you please. Hip. What is't? Vas. I know you are infinitely moved now, and you think you have cause; some I confess you have, but sure not so much as you imagine. Hip. Indeed! Vas. O you were miserably bitter, which you followed even to the last syllable; 'faith, you were somewhat too shrewd: by my life, you could not have took my lord in a worse time since I first knew him; to-morrow, you shall find him a new man. Hip. Well, I shall wait his leisure. Vas. Fie, this is not a hearty patience; it comes sourly from you; 'troth, let me persuade you for once. Hip. I have it, and it shall be so; thanks opportunity-[Aside.]-Persuade me ! to what? Vas. Visit him in some milder temper. O, if you could but master a little your female spleen, how might you win him! Hip. He will never love me. hast been a too trusty servant to Vasques, thou such a master, 4 To his woe.] i. e. to the woe occasioned by his falsehood. She recurs to this idea in the concluding speech of this scene. and I believe thy reward in the end will fall out like mine. Vas. So perhaps too. Hip. Resolve' thyself it will. Had I one so true, so truly honest, so secret to my counsels, as thou hast been to him and his, I should think it a slight acquittance, not only to make him master of all I have, but even of myself. Vas. O you are a noble gentlewoman! Hip. Wilt thou feed always upon hopes? well, I know thou art wise, and seest the reward of an old servant daily, what it is. Vas. Beggary and neglect. Hip. True; but, Vasques, wert thou mine, and would'st be private to me and my designs, I here protest, myself, and all what I can else call mine, should be at thy dispose. Vas. Work you that way, old mole? then I have the wind of you-[Aside.]—I were not worthy of it by any desert that could lie-within my compass; if I could Hip. What then? Vas. I should then hope to live in these my old years with rest and security. Hip. Give me thy hand: now promise but thy silence, And help to bring to pass a plot I have; And here, in sight of Heaven, that being done, I make thee lord of me and mine estate. 5 Resolve thyself it will.] i. e. assure, convince thyself. The word occurs just below in the same sense, Vas. Come, you are merry; this is such a happiness that I can neither think or believe. Hip. Promise thy secrecy, and 'tis confirm'd. Vas. Then here I call our good genii for witnesses, whatsoever your designs are, or against whomsoever, I will not only be a special actor therein, but never disclose it till it be effected. Hip. I take thy word, and, with that, thee for mine Come then, let's more confer of this anon.- SCENE III. The Street. Enter RICHARDETTO and PHILOTIS. Rich. Thou seest, my lovely niece, these strange mishaps, How all my fortunes turn to my disgrace; Whilst others act my shame, and I am silent. Phi. But, uncle, wherein can this borrow'd shape Give you content? Rich. I'll tell thee, gentle niece: Thy wanton aunt in her lascivious riots In my late journey to Ligorne for you; As I have caus'd it to be rumour'd out. Phi. Alas, I fear You mean some strange revenge. Rich. O be not troubled, Your ignorance shall plead for you in all— But to our business.-What! you learn'd for cer tain, How Signior Florio means to give his daughter In marriage to Soranzo? Phi. Yes, for certain. Rich. But how find you young Annabella's love Inclined to him? Phi. For aught I could perceive, She neither fancies him or any else. Rich. There's mystery in that, which time must shew. She us'd you kindly? Phi. Yes. Rich. And crav'd your company? Phi. Often. Rich. 'Tis well; it goes as I could wish. I am the doctor now, and as for you, None knows you; if all fail not, we shall thrive. But who comes here?-I know him; 'tis Gri maldi, A Roman and a soldier, near allied Unto the Duke of Montferrato, one M Attending on the nuncio of the pope That now resides in Parma; by which means Of your approved skill, which through the city Is freely talk'd of, and would crave your aid. Rich. For what, sir? Grim. Marry, sir, for this But I would speak in private. Rich. Leave us, cousin. [PHI. retires. Grim. I love fair Annabella, and would know Whether in arts there may not be receipts To move affection. Rich. Sir, perhaps there may; But these will nothing profit you. Grim. Not me? Rich. Unless I be mistook, you are a man Greatly in favour with the cardinal. Grim. What of that? Rich. In duty to his grace, I will be bold to tell you, if you seek To marry Florio's daughter, you must first Grim. Who's that? Rich. Soranzo is the man that hath her heart, And while he lives, be sure you cannot speed. |