Vas. Come, you are merry; this is such a happiness that I can neither think or believe.

Hip. Promise thy secrecy, and 'tis confirm'd. Vas. Then here I call our good genii for witnesses, whatsoever your designs are, or against whomsoever, I will not only be a special actor therein, but never disclose it till it be effected.

Hip. I take thy word, and, with that, thee for mine;

Come then, let's more confer of this anon.-
On this delicious bane my thought shall banquet,
Revenge shall sweeten what my griefs have tasted.
[Aside, and exit with Vas.

SCENE III.

The Street.

Enter RICHARDETTO and PHILOTIS.

Rich. Thou seest, my lovely niece, these strange mishaps,

How all my fortunes turn to my disgrace;
Wherein I am but as a looker-on,

Whilst others act my shame, and I am silent.

Phi. But, uncle, wherein can this borrow'd shape

Give you content?

Rich. I'll tell thee, gentle niece:

Thy wanton aunt in her lascivious riots

Lives now secure, thinks I am surely dead,

In my late journey to Ligorne for

you;

As I have caus'd it to be rumour'd out.
Now would I see with what an impudence
She gives scope to her loose adultery,
And how the common voice allows hereof;
Thus far I have prevail'd.

Phi. Alas, I fear

You mean some strange revenge.
Rich. O be not troubled,

Your ignorance shall plead for you in allBut to our business.-What! you learn'd for certain,

How Signior Florio means to give his daughter In marriage to Soranzo?

Phi. Yes, for certain.

Rich. But how find you young Annabella's love Inclined to him?

Phi. For aught I could perceive,

She neither fancies him or any else.

Rich. There's mystery in that, which time must shew.

She us'd you kindly?

Phi. Yes.

Rich. And crav'd your company ?

Phi. Often.

Rich. 'Tis well; it goes as I could wish.

I am the doctor now, and as for you,

None knows you; if all fail not, we shall thrive. But who comes here?-I know him; 'tis Gri

maldi,

A Roman and a soldier, near allied

Unto the Duke of Montferrato, one

M

Attending on the nuncio of the pope

That now resides in Parma; by which means
He hopes to get the love of Annabella.

Enter GRIMALDI.

Grim. Save you, sir.

Rich. And you, sir.

Of

Grim. I have heard

your approved skill, which through the city Is freely talk'd of, and would crave your aid. Rich. For what, sir?

Grim. Marry, sir, for this ——

But I would speak in private.

Rich. Leave us, cousin.

[PHI. retires.

Grim. I love fair Annabella, and would know

Whether in arts there may not be receipts
To move affection.

Rich. Sir, perhaps there may;

But these will nothing profit you.

Grim. Not me?

Rich. Unless I be mistook, you are a man Greatly in favour with the cardinal.

Grim. What of that?

Rich. In duty to his grace,

I will be bold to tell you, if you seek
To marry Florio's daughter, you must first
Remove a bar 'twixt you and her.

Grim. Who's that?

Rich. Soranzo is the man that hath her heart,

And while he lives, be sure you cannot speed.

Grim. Soranzo! what, mine enemy?" is it he? Rich. Is he your enemy?

Grim. The man I hate

Worse than confusion; I will tell him straight.-
Rich. Nay, then take my advice,
Even for his grace's sake the cardinal;

I'll find a time when he and she do meet,
Of which I'll give you notice; and, to be sure
He shall not scape you, I'll provide a poison
To dip your rapier's point in; if he had
As many heads as Hydra had, he dies.
Grim. But shall I trust thee, doctor?
Rich. As yourself;

Doubt not in aught.-[Erit GRIM.]-Thus shall the fates decree,

By me Soranzo falls, that ruin'd me." [Exeunt.

SCENE IV.

Another Part of the Street.

Enter DONADO, with a Letter, BERGETTO, and

POGGIO.

Don. Well, sir, I must be content to be both your secretary and your messenger myself. I cannot tell what this letter may work; but, as

"Grim. Soranzo! what, mine enemy? It is strange that this should appear a new discovery to Grimaldi, when he had been fully apprized of it in the rencontre with Vasques in the first act. It is not often, however, that Ford thus wholly forgets himself. In the next line there is apparently some slight error: "I'll tell him straight," should probably be, "I'll to him straight."

7

that ruin'd me.] The old copy reads—“ that

sure as I am alive, if thou come once to talk with her, I fear thou wilt mar whatsoever I make.

Ber. You make, uncle! why am not I big enough to carry mine own letter, I pray?

Don. Ay, ay, carry a fool's head of thy own! why, thou dunce, would'st thou write a letter, and carry it thyself?

Ber. Yes, that I would, and read it to her with mine own mouth; for you must think, if she will not believe me myself when she hears me speak, she will not believe another's hand-writing. Oh, you think I am a blockhead, uncle. No, sir, Poggio knows I have indited a letter myself; so I have.

Pog. Yes truly, sir, I have it in my pocket.

Don. A sweet one, no doubt; pray let's see it. Ber. I cannot read my own hand very well, Poggio; read it, Poggio.

Don. Begin.

Pog. [reads] Most dainty and honey-sweet mistress, I could call you fair, and lie as fast as any that loves you; but my uncle being the elder man, I leave it to him, as more fit for his age, and the colour of his beard. I am wise enough to tell you I can bourd where I see occasion; or if you like my

min'd me." What a detestable set of characters has Ford here sharked up for the exercise of his fine talents! With the exception of poor Bergetto and his uncle, most of the rest seem contending which of them shall prove worthiest of the wheel and the gibbet.

$ I can bourd where I see occasion,] i. e. jest; see Jonson, vol. iv. p. 222. In the old spelling, this word is frequently confounded with board, which, as Sir Toby truly says, meant to accost. The