Fer. All thine; I will reserve my best ability, my heart, my honour only to thee, only to thee. Pity of my blood, away! I hear company coming on; remember, soon I am all thine, I will live perpetually only to thee; away!--[Exit JULIA.] 'Sfoot! I wonder about what time of the year I was begot; sure it was when the moon was in conjunction, and all the other planets drunk at a morris-dance; I am haunted above patience; my mind is not as infinite to do, as my occasions are proffered of doing. Chastity! I am an eunuch if I think there be any such thing; or if there be, 'tis amongst us men; for I never found it in a woman thoroughly tempted yet. I have a shrewd hard task coming on; but let it pass. Who comes now?

Enter FERNANDO.

My lord, the duke's friend! I will strive to be inward with him. My lord Fernando!

Fern. My lord Ferentes, I should change some words

Of consequence with you; but since I am,
For this time, busied in more serious thoughts,
I'll pick some fitter opportunity.

Fer. I will wait your pleasure, my lord. Good day to your lordship!

[Exit. Fern. Traitor to friendship, whither shall I run, That lost to reason, cannot sway the float Of the unruly faction in my blood!

The duchess, oh the duchess! in her smiles

Are all my joys abstracted:-death to my thoughts! My other plague comes to me.

Enter FIORMONDA and JULIA.

Fior. My lord Fernando, what, so hard at study! You are a kind companion to yourself,

That love to be alone so.

Fern. Madam, no;

I rather chose this leisure to admire

The glories of this little world, the court,

Where, like so many stars, on several thrones,
Beauty and greatness shine in proper orbs;
Sweet matter for my meditation.

Fior. So, so, sir! (leave us, Julia) [Exit JUL.] your own proof,

By travel and prompt observation,

Instructs you how to place the use of speech.-
But since you are at leisure, pray let's sit;
We'll pass the time a little in discourse:
What have you seen abroad?

Fern. No wonders, lady,

Like these I see at home.

Fior. At home! as how?

Fern. Your pardon, if my tongue, the voice of

truth,

Report but what is warranted by sight.

Fior. What sight?

Fern. Look in your glass, and you shall see

A miracle.

Fior. What miracle?

Fern. Your beauty,

So far above all beauties else abroad,

As

you are, in your own, superlative.

Fior. Fy, fy! your wit hath too much edge.
Fern. Would that,

Or any thing, that I could challenge mine,
Were but of value to express how much

I serve, in love, the sister of my prince!

Fior. "Tis for your prince's sake then, not for

mine?

Fern. For you in him, and much for him in you, I must acknowledge, madam, I observe,

In your affects, a thing to me most strange, Which makes me so much honour you the

more.

Fior. Pray tell it.

Fern. Gladly, lady:

I see how opposite to youth and custom,
You set before you, in the tablature

Of your remembrance, the becoming griefs
Of a most loyal lady, for the loss

Of so renown'd a prince as was your lord.
Fior. Now, good my lord, no more of him.
Fern. Of him!

I know it is a needless task in me,

To set him forth in his deserved praise,
You better can record it; for you find,
How much more he exceeded other men
In most heroic virtues of account,

So much more was your loss in losing him.

Of him! his praise should be a field too large,
Too spacious, for so mean an orator
As I to range in.

Fior. Sir, enough: 'tis true

He well deserv'd your labour; on his death-bed This ring he gave me, bade me never part

With this, but to the man I lov'd as dearly

As I loved him; yet since you know which way To blaze his worth so rightly, in return

To your deserts, wear this for him and me.

Fern, Madam?

Fior. "Tis

yours.

[Offers him the ring.

Fern. Methought you said, he charged you Not to impart it but to him you loved

As dearly as you loved him.

Fior. True, I said so.

Fern. Oh, then far be it my unhallow'd hand, With any rude intrusion, should unveil A testament enacted by the dead.

Fior. Why man, that testament is disannull'd, And cancell'd quite by us that live. Look here, My blood is not yet freez'd; for better instance, Be judge yourself; experience is no dangerCold are my sighs; but feel, my lips are warm. [Kisses him. Fern. What means the virtuous marquess?

Fior. To new-kiss

The oath to thee, which whilst he lived was his:

Hast thou yet power to love?

Fern. To love!

Fior. To meet

Sweetness of language in discourse as sweet? Fern. Madam, 'twere dulness, past the igno

rance

Of common blockheads, not to understand
Whereto this favour tends; and 'tis a fortune
So much above my fate, that I could wish
No greater happiness on earth; but know,
Long since, I vow'd to live a single life.
Fior. What was 't you said?

Fern. I said, I made a vow——

Enter BIANCA, PETRUCHIO, COLONA, and
D'AVOLOS.

Blessed deliverance!

Fior. Prevented? mischief on this interruption!

[Aside.

Bian. My lord Fernando, you encounter fitly,

I have a suit t'ye.

Fern. 'Tis my duty, madam,

To be commanded.

Bian. Since my lord, the duke,

Is now dispos'd to mirth, the time serves well

For mediation, that he would be pleased

To take the lord Roseilli to his grace.

He is a noble gentleman; I dare
Engage my credit, loyal to the state;
And, sister, one that ever strove, methought,
By special service, and obsequious care,
To win respect from you: it were a part
Of gracious favour, if you pleas'd to join