PROLOGUE. LANGUAGE and matter, with a fit of mirth, But where's now such a one, in which these three, Wit, wit's the word in fashion, that alone He who will venture on a jest, that can A goodly approbation, which must bring Your favours in what we present to-day; In which, if so he have not hit all right, MASTER BIRD.1 1 See the Dedication to the Sun's Darling. THE LADY'S TRIAL. ACT I. SCENE I. A Room in the House of AURIA. Enter PIERO and FUTELLI, at opposite doors. Piero. АссоMPLISHED man of fashion! Gallant of gallants, Genoa's Piero! Piero. Italy's darling, Europe's joy, and so forth! The newest news? unvamp'd?1 Fut. I am no footpost, No pedler of avisos, no monopolist Of forged corantos, monger of gazettes. 1 Piero. But, in pure earnest now, my fine Futelli, How trowls the common noise? Fut. Auria, who lately Wedded and bedded to the fair Spinella, Of the great duke of Florence. Piero. Blockhead! To run from such an armful of pleasures, Fut. Wicked, Shameful, and cowardly, I will maintain. -GIFFORD. 1 The newest news? unvamp'd?] i. e. fresh, genuine, not patched up. VOL. II.-2 Piero. Is all my signor's hospitality, To beverage and biscuit ? Fut. Hold thy peace, man; It makes for us:-he comes, let 's part demurely. [They take different sides. Enter ADURNI and AURIA. Adur. We wish thee, honour'd Auria, life and safety; Return crown'd with a victory, whose wreath Aur. My lord, I shall not live to thrive in any action Deserving memory, when I forget Adurni's love and favour. Piero. I present you My service for a farewell; let few words Excuse all arts of compliment. Fut. For my own part, Kill or be kill'd (for there 's the short and long on 't), Aur. Gentlemen, My business, urging on a present haste, Enforceth short reply. Adur. We dare not hinder Your resolution wing'd with thoughts so constant. All happiness! Piero and Fut. Contents! [Exeunt ADURNI, PIERO, and FUTELLI. Aur. So leave the winter'd people of the north, 1 Call me your shadow's hench-boy.] A common expression in our old writers for a page; a state attendant on court or municipal officers. -GIFFORD. 1 Enter TRELCATIO, Spinella, and CASTANNA. Now appears the object Of my apprenticed heart: thou bring'st, Spinella, A welcome in a farewell-souls and bodies Are sever'd for a time, a span of time, To join again, without all separation, In a confirmed unity for ever: Such will our next embraces be, for life; And then to take the wreck of our divisions,1 Will sweeten the remembrance of past dangers, Will fasten love in perpetuity, Will force our sleeps to steal upon our stories. Trel. I dare promise My husbanding that trust with truth and care. Aur. Gentle Castanna, thou 'rt a branch of goodness In so much silent sadness? Oh! at parting, Trel. Blessings and health preserve you! [Exit. counsels; A while you are design'd your sister's husband. 1 And then to take the wreck of our divisions,] i. e. to enjoy the rem cant of time which our separations have left us. -GIFFORD. |