In best sense an adulteress ? so conceived Ev'n from mine own blood, which, although I boast Not noble, yet 't was not mean; for Romanello, Mine only brother, shuns me, and abhors To own me for his sister. Fab. "T is confess'd, I am the shame of mankind. In this great lord's love, now; but could his cunning My unsought honours, and so far from triumph, Fab. You are an angel rather to be worshipp'd, Than grossly to be talk'd with. Flav. [Gives him money.] Keep those ducats, I shall provide you better:-'t were a bravery, Could you forget the place wherein you've render'd Your name for ever hateful. Fab. I will do 't, Do't, excellentest goodness, and conclude Flav. You may prosper In Spain, in France, or elsewhere, as in Italy. You interrupted study with commérce. I'll think of your supplies; meantime, pray, storm not At my behaviour to you; I have forgot Acquaintance with mine own-keep your first dis tance. Camillo! who is near? Vespucci ! [He draws back. this antic carriage.] This childish and ridiculous affectation of levity; which she assumed, partly to humour the count, but chiefly, as she afterward says, to defeat the "lascivious villanies" of her. attendants, Camillo and Vespucci.-GIFFORD. Enter JULIO, CAMILLO, and VESPUCCI. Jul. What! Our lady's last familiar? Flav. Oh, I am sick, sick, sick I faint at heart-kiss me, nay, prithee, quickly, [To JUL. Or I shall swoon. You've staid a sweet while from me. And this companion too-beshrew him! Jul. Dearest, Thou art my health, my blessing:-turn the bankrupt Out of my doors!-sirrah, I'll have thee whipp'd, If thou com'st here again. Cam. Hence, hence, you vermin! Jul. How is 't, my best of joys? Flav. Prettily mended, [Exit FAB. Now we have our own lord here; I shall never Endure to spare you long out of my sight. See, what the thing presented. [Gives him the paper. Jul. A petition, Belike, for some new charity? Flav. We must not Be troubled with his needs; a wanting creature Is monstrous, is as ominous-fy upon 't! Despatch the silly mushroom once for all, And send him with some pittance out o' the country, Where we may hear no more of him. Jul. Thy will Shall stand a law, my matchless pleasure; No life is sweet without thee: in my heart Reign empress, and be styled thy Julio's sovereign, My only, precious dear. [Exeunt. ACT III. SCENE I. An Apartment in JULIO's House. Enter VESPUCCI and CAMILLO. Ves. Come, thou art caught, Camillo. That were a jest indeed; I caught? Does scatter glances, wheels her round, and smiles; Each hour have run in progress; then thou kissest Cam. So, Vespucci ! This will not do, I read it on thy forehead, Ves. She loves thee; Dotes on thee; in my hearing told her lord Of courtship, and of compliment :-ah, ah! She nick'd it there!-I envy not thy fortunes; For, to say truth, thou 'rt handsome, and deserv'st her, Were she as great again as she is. Cam. I handsome? Alas, alas, a creature of Heaven's making, There's all! But, sirrah, prithee, let's be sociable; I do confess, I think the goody-madam May possibly be compass'd. Ves. A pretty toy 'tis. Cam. Let us consider She's but a merchant's leavings. Ves. Hatch'd i' the country, And fledged i' the city. Thus, then; When I am absent, use the gentlest memory I'll do as much for thee. Cam. With this addition, Camillo, best of fairs, a man so bashful, Ves. The thing a mistress ought to wish her servant. Are we agreed? Cam. Most readily. On t' other side, Unto the lord her husband, talk as coarsely Ves. I like it; So shall we sift her love, and his opinion. Enter JULIO, FLAVIA, and FABRICIO. Jul. Be thankful, fellow, to a noble mistress; Two hundred ducats are no trifling sum, Nor common alms. Flav. You must not loiter lazily. And speak about the town,' my friend, in taverns, In gaming-houses; nor sneak after dinner To public shows, to interludes, in riot, To some lewd painted baggage, trick'd up gaudily, Like one of us-oh, fy upon them giblets! 1 And speak about the town, &c.] "Gaming-houses" were not much noted in Ford's days for the resort of idle praters." I suspect that the poet's word was lurh.-GIFFORD. I have been told they ride in coaches, flaunt it Is 't not sound counsel ? Jul. "T is more; 't is heavenly. [Turns to JUL. Ves. What hope, Camillo, now, if this tune hold? Cam. Hope fair enough, Vespucci, now as ever; Why any woman in her husband's presence Can say no less. Ves. "T is true, and she hath leave here. Fab. Madam, your care and charity at once It shall requite this bounty; I am travelling Jul. I like your undertakings. Flav. New world! where's that I pray? good, if you light on A parrot or a monkey that has qualities Fab. Yes, lady, I-I shall think on you; and my devotions, Flav. Prithee, sweetest, [Exit. Hark in your ear,-beshrew 't, the brim of your hat The griefs my heart does labour in-[Aside.]-it smarts Unmeasurably. Jul. A chance, a chance; 't will off, VOL. II.-24 |