Par. Days, months, and years are past, since Hath loved and serv'd you truly; Menaphon, Tha. Thou hast a moving eloquence, Parthenophill!— Parthenophill, in vain we strive to cross A miserable life with thee, before All other earthly comforts. Par. Menaphon, By me, repeats the self-same words to you: His truth, or my report. Tha. Go where thou wilt, I'll be an exile with thee; I will learn To bear all change of fortunes. Par. For my friend, I plead with grounds of reason. Hard-hearted youth, I here renounce all thoughts Par. Stay, as you honour virtue. Tha. When entreats Of friends, Par. I'll ease your grief. Par. I crave But some few minutes. Tha. Shall infringe my vows, Let Heaven, Par. My love speaks t'ye: hear, then go on. Tha. Thy love? why, 'tis a charm to stop a vow In its most violent course. Par. Cupid has broke His arrows here; and, like a child unarm'd, Par. Lady, take a secret. I am as you are ;—in a lower rank, Else of the self-same sex, a maid, a virgin. And now, to use your own words, thoughts "if your Censure me not with mercy, you may soon Conceive, I have laid by that modesty, Which should preserve a virtuous name unstain'd." Tha. Are you not mankind then? Par. When you shall read The story of my sorrows, with the change You will not think the shedding of one tear, Much more of honour (as for life, I value't not) Tha. It will be A hard task for my reason, to relinquish I loved so dearly. Par. You shall find me ever, Your ready faithful servant. Tha. O, the powers Who do direct our hearts, laugh at our follies! We must not part yet. Par. Let not my unworthiness Alter your good opinion. Tha. I shall henceforth Be jealous of thy company with any; This scene, at once dignified and pathetic, is happily conceived, delicately conducted, and beautifully written. It places Ford's powers of language and command of feeling in a very eminent rank. Re-enter KAla. Kala. Did your ladyship Call me? Tha. For what? Kala. Your servant Menaphon Desires admittance. Enter MENAPHON. Men. With your leave, great mistress, I come,-So private! is this well, Parthenophill? Par. Sir, noble sir! Men. You are unkind and treacherous; This 'tis to trust a straggler! Tha. Prithee, servant— Men. I dare not question you, you are my tress, My prince's nearest kinswoman; but he— Men. Henceforth, I will bury I'll court mine own distraction, doat on folly. Tha. How dare you talk to me thus ? mis Men. Dare? Were you not own sister to my friend, Sister to my Amethus, I would hurl you As far off from mine eyes, as from my heart; For I would never more look on you. Take Your jewel t'ye!—and, youth, keep under wing, Or-boy!-boy! Tha. If commands be of no force, Let me entreat thee, Menaphon. Fie, fie, Parthenophill! have I deserv'd To be thus used? Par. I do protest— Men. You shall not; Henceforth I will be free, and hate my bondage. Enter AMETHUS. Amet. Away, away to court! The prince is pleas'd To see a Masque to-night; we must attend him: 'Tis near upon the time.-How thrives your suit? Men. The judge, your sister, will decide it shortly. Tha. Parthenophill, I will not trust you from [Exeunt. me. SCENE III. A Room in the Palace. Enter PALADOR, SOPHRONOS, ARETUS, nad CORAX; Servants with Torches. Cor. Lights and attendance! I will shew your highness A trifle of mine own brain. If you can, Imagine you were now in the university, |