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, Fior. Fy, fy! your wit hath too much edge. Or any thing, that I could challenge mine, Fior. 'Tis for your prince's sake then, not for mine? In your affects,' a thing to me most strange, Fern. Gladly, lady: I see how opposite to youth and custom, Of your remembrance, the becoming griefs Of so renown'd a prince as was your lord. I know it is a needless task in me To set him forth in his deserved praise, 1 Affections. How much more he exceeded other men So much more was your loss in losing him. As I to range in. Fior. Sir, enough: 't is true He well deserv'd your labour; on his death-bed To your deserts, wear this for him and me. [Offers him the ring. Fern. Madam? Fior. 'Tis yours. Fern. Methought you said, he charged you Fior. True, I said so. Fern. Oh, then, far be it my unhallow'd hand, Fior. Why, man, that testament is disannull'd, Fern. To love! 1 Virtuous marquess.] The title of marquis is the newest in this country and it was not till after some time that marchioness was introduced, to distinguish the lady from her lord. She was in Ford's time usually "my lady marquis or marquess." The Italian marchese and marchesa are hardly different in sound; and in old French marquis and marchise were probably little more so. Fior. To meet Sweetness of language in discourse as sweet? Fern. Madam, 't were dulness, past the ignorance Of common blockheads, not to understand Whereto this favour tends; and 't is 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 and D'AVOLOS. Blessed deliverance! Fior. Prevented! mischief on this interruption! ACT II. SCENE I. [Aside. FERNANDO and BIANCA. Fern. Madam. Bian. To me, my lord! Fern. Please but to hear The story of a castaway in love; And, oh! let not the passage of a jest Make slight a sadder subject, who hath placed Bian. My lord, the time Fern. The time! yet hear me speak, Bian. Forbear, or I shall Fern. Yet, as you honour virtue, do not freeze My hopes to more discomfort, than, as yet, My fears suggest; no beauty so adorns Bian. No more! I spare To tell you what you are, and must confess, Thought goodness dwelt in you. Remember, now, All female weakness; I have sued and sued, Move her no more than summer-winds a rock. I must resolve to check this rage of blood, And will; she is all icy to my fires, Yet even that ice inflames in me desires. SCENE II. The Palace.-The Dutchess's Apartment. [Exit. Enter COLONA with lights, BIANCA, FIORMONDA, FerNANDO, and D'AVOLOS; COLONA places the lights on a table, and sets down a chessboard. Bian. 'Tis yet but early night, too soon to sleep; Sister, shall's have a mate at chess? Fior. A mate! No, madam, you are grown too hard for me; Bian. He's a well-practis'd gamester-well, care not How cunning soe'er he be.-To pass an hour I'll try your skill, my lord: reach here the chessboard. Fern. I shall bewray too much of my ignorance In striving with your highness; 't is a game I lose at still, by oversight. Bian. Well, well, I fear you not. [FERNANDO and the Dutchess play. Fior. Madam, I must entreat excuse; I feel The temper of my body not in case To judge the strife. Bian. Lights for our sister, sirs! Good rest t' ye; I'll but end my game, and follow. Fior. [Aside to D'Av.] Let 'em have time enough; and, as thou canst, Be near to hear their courtship, D'Avolos. D'Av. Madam, I shall observe them with all cunning secrecy. Bian. Colona, attend our sister to her chamber. Col. I shall, madam. [Exit FIOR. followed by CoL. and D'Av. Bian. Play. Fern. I must not lose the advantage of the game; Madam, your queen is lost. Bian. My clergy help me ;1 My queen! and nothing for it but a pawn? Fern. What, madam? [FERNANDO often looks about. Bian. You must needs play well, you are so stu dious, : Fy upon 't! you study past patience :- Nail'd to the ground, as earthy as my fears, 1 My clergy help me,] i. e. my bishops, but those who understand the game do not need these modicums of information, and upon all others they are thrown away.-GIFFORD. |