Flo. Receive it, Annabella.
Ann. Alas, good man!

Don. What's that she said?

[Takes the Letter.

Put. An't please you, sir, she said, “Alas, good man!" Truly I do commend him to her every night before her first sleep, because I would have her dream of him; and she hearkens to that most religiously.

Don. Say'st so? God a' mercy, Putana! there is something for thee-[Gives her money]—and prithee do what thou canst on his behalf; it shall not be lost labour, take my word for it.

Put. Thank you most heartily, sir; now I have a feeling of your mind, let me alone to work. Ann. Guardian.

Put. Did you call?

Ann. Keep this letter.

Don. Signior Florio, in any case bid her read it instantly.

Flo. Keep it! for what? pray read it me hereright.

Ann. I shall, sir.

[She reads the Letter.

Don. How do you find her inclined, signior? Flo. Troth, sir, I know not how; not all so well As I could wish.

Ann. Sir, I am bound to rest your cousin's debtor.

The jewel I'll return; for if he love,

I'll count that love a jewel.

Don. Mark you that?

Nay, keep them both, sweet maid.

Ann. You must excuse me,

Indeed I will not keep it.

Flo. Where's the ring,

That which your mother, in her will, bequeath'd, And charged you on her blessing not to give it Το any but your husband? send back that."

Ann. I have it not.

Flo. Ha! have it not; where is it?

Ann. My brother in the morning took it from

me,

Said he would wear it to-day.

Flo. Well, what do you say

To young Bergetto's love? are you content to
Match with him? speak.

Don. There is the point, indeed.

Ann. What shall I do? I must say something

now.

Flo. What say? why do you not speak?
Ann. Sir, with your leave-
Please you to give me freedom?
Flo. Yes, you have [it.]

[Aside.

Ann. Signior Donado, if your nephew mean
To raise his better fortunes in his match,
The hope of me will hinder such a hope:
Sir, if you love him, as I know you do,
Find one more worthy of his choice than me;
In short, I'm sure I shall not be his wife.

5 Send back that.] Florio juggles strangely with his daughter's suitors. He tells Soranzo in Act I. that he had "his word engaged;" and yet he here endeavours to force her upon another! His subsequent conduct is not calculated to increase our respect for his character, or our sympathy for his overwhelming afflictions.

Don. Why here's plain dealing; I commend

thee for❜t;

And all the worst I wish thee, is, heaven bless

thee!

Your father yet and I will still be friends;

Shall we not, Signior Florio?

Flo. Yes; why not?

Look, here your cousin comes.

Enter BERGETTO and POGgio.

Don. Oh coxcomb! what doth he make here?
Ber. Where is my uncle, sirs?
Don. What is the news now?

Ber. Save you, uncle, save you! You must not think I come for nothing, masters; and how, and how is it? what, you have read my letter? ah, there I-tickled you, i'faith.

Pog. But 'twere better you had tickled her in another place.

Ber. Sirrah sweetheart, I'll tell thee a good jest; and riddle what it is.

Ann. You say you'll tell me.

Ber. As I was walking just now in the street, I met a swaggering fellow would needs take the wall of me; and because he did thrust me, I very valiantly call'd him rogue; he hereupon bade me draw, I told him I had more wit than so: but when he saw that I would not, he did so maul me with the hilts of his rapier, that my head sung whilst my feet caper'd in the kennel.

Don. Was ever the like ass seen!

Ann. And what did you all this while?

Ber. Laugh at him for a gull, till I saw the blood run about mine ears, and then I could not choose but find in my heart to cry; till a fellow with a broad beard (they say he is a new-come doctor) call'd me into his house, and gave me a plaster, look you, here 'tis ;-and, sir, there was a young wench wash'd my face and hands most excellently; i'faith I shall love her as long as I live for it-did she not, Poggio?

Pog. Yes, and kiss'd him too.

Ber. Why la now, you think I tell a lie, uncle, I warrant.

Don. Would he that beat thy blood out of thy head, had beaten some wit into it! for I fear thou never wilt have any.

Ber. Oh uncle, but there was a wench would have done a man's heart good to have look'd on her. By this light, she had a face methinks worth twenty of you, Mistress Annabella.

Don. Was ever such a fool born?

Ann. I am glad she liked you, sir.

Ber. Are you so? by my troth I thank you, forsooth.

Flo. Sure it was the doctor's niece, that was last day with us here.

Ber. 'Twas she, 'twas she.

Don. How do you know that, Simplicity?

"I am glad she lik'd you,] i. e. pleased you. face likes me not." Maid's Tragedy, Act ii. you best."-Reed.

So in Lear, “His "What look likes

Ber. Why does he not say so? if I should have said no, I should have given him the lie, uncle, and so have deserv'd a dry beating again; I'll none of that.

Flo. A very modest well-behav'd young maid, as I have seen.

Don. Is she indeed?

Flo. Indeed she is, if I have any judgment.

Don. Well, sir, now you are free: you need not care for sending letters now; you are dismiss'd, your mistress here will none of you.

Ber. No! why what care I for that? I can have wenches enough in Parma for half a crown a-piece; cannot I, Poggio?

Pog. I'll warrant you, sir.

Don. Signior Florio, I thank you for your free recourse you gave for my admittance; and to you, fair maid, that jewel I will give you against your marriage. Come, will you go, sir?

Ber. Ay, marry will I. Mistress, farewell, mistress; I'll come again to-morrow-farewell, mistress.

[Exeunt DONAdo, Bergetto, and POGGIO.

Enter GIOVANNI.

Flo. Son, where have you been? what, alone, alone still?

I would not have it so; you must forsake
This over-bookish humour. Well; your sister
Hath shook the fool off.

Gio. 'Twas no match for her.