Flo. 'Twas not indeed; I meant it nothing less; Soranzo is the man I only like;

Look on him, Annabella. Come, 'tis supper-time, And it grows late.

Gio. Whose jewel's that?

Ann. Some sweetheart's.

Gio. So I think.

Ann. A lusty youth,

Signior Donado, gave it me to wear

Against my marriage.

Gio. But you shall not wear it;

Send it him back again.

Ann. What, you are jealous?

[Exit.

Gio. That you shall know anon, at better lei

A Room in DONADO's House.

Enter BERGETTO and POGGIO.

Ber. Does my uncle think to make me a baby still? No, Poggio; he shall know I have a sconce

now.

Pog. Ay, let him not bob you off like an ape with an apple.

Ber. 'Sfoot, I will have the wench, if he were ten uncles, in despite of his nose, Poggio.

Pog. Hold him to the grindstone, and give not

a jot of ground; she hath in a manner promised

you already.

Ber. True, Poggio; and her uncle, the doctor, swore I should marry her.

Pog. He swore; I remember.

Ber. And I will have her, that's more: did'st see the codpiece-point she gave me, and the box of marmalade?

Pog. Very well; and kiss'd you, that my chops water'd at the sight on't: there is no way but to clap up a marriage in hugger-mugger.

Ber. I will do it; for I tell thee, Poggio, I begin to grow valiant methinks, and my courage begins to rise.

Pog. Should

you be afraid of your uncle? Ber. Hang him, old doating rascal! no; I say I will have her.

Pog. Lose no time then.

Ber. I will beget a race of wise men and constables that shall cart whores at their own charges; and break the duke's peace ere I have done, myself. Come away.

SCENE II.

A Room in FLORIO's House.

[Exeunt.

Enter FLORIO, GIOVANNI, SORANZO, ANNABELLA, PUTANA, and Vasques.

Flo. My lord Soranzo, though I must confess The proffers that are made me have been great, In marriage of my daughter; yet the hope

Of

your still rising honours has prevail'd Above all other jointures: here she is;

She knows my mind; speak for yourself to her,
And hear you, daughter, see you use him nobly:
For any private speech, I'll give you time.
Come, son, and you the rest; let them alone;
Agree [they] as they may.

Sor. I thank you, sir.

Gio. Sister, be not all woman, think on me.

Sor. Vasques.

[Aside to ANN.

Vas. My lord.

Sor. Attend me without

[Exeunt all but SORANZO and ANNABELLA.

Ann. Sir, what's your will with me?

Sor. Do you not know

What I should tell you?

Ann. Yes; you'll say you love me.

Sor. And I will swear it too; will you believe it?

Ann. "Tis no point of faith.

Enter GIOVANNI, in the Gallery, above.

Sor. Have you not will to love?

Ann. Not you.

Sor. Whom then?

Ann. That's as the fates infer.
Gio. Of those I'm regent now.
Sor. What mean you, sweet?
Ann. To live and die a maid.
Sor. Oh, that's unfit.

Gio. Here's one can say that's but a woman's

note.

Sor. Did you but see my heart, then would you

swear

Ann. That you were dead.

Gio. That's true, or somewhat near it.

Sor. See you these true love's tears?

Ann. No.

Gio. Now she winks.

Sor. They plead to you for grace.

Ann. Yet nothing speak.

Sor. Oh, grant my suit.

Ann. What is't?

Sor. To let me live

Ann. Take it.

Sor. Still yours.

Ann. That is not mine to give.

Gio. One such another word would kill his

hopes.

Sor. Mistress, to leave those fruitless strifes of

wit,

Know I have lov'd you long, and lov'd you truly:
Not hope of what you have, but what you are,
Hath drawn me on; then let me not in vain.
Still feel the rigour of your chaste disdain :
I'm sick, and sick to the heart.

Ann. Help, aqua vitæ!

Sor. What mean you?

Ann. Why, I thought you had been sick.

Sor. Do you mock my love?

Gio. There, sir, she was too nimble.

Sor. 'Tis plain; she laughs at me.-(Aside.) These scornful taunts

Neither become your modesty or years.

Ann. You are no looking-glass; or if you were, I would dress my language by you.

Gio. I am confirm'd.

Ann. To put you out of doubt, my lord, methinks

Your common sense should make you understand, That if I lov'd you, or desired your love,

Some way I should have given you better taste: But since you are a nobleman, and one

I would not wish should spend his youth in hopes,
Let me advise you to forbear your suit,

And think I wish you well, I tell you this.
Sor. Is't you speak this?

Ann. Yes, I myself; yet know,

(Thus far I give you comfort) if mine eyes Could have pick'd out a man, amongst all those

That sued to me, to make a husband of,

You should have been that man; let this suffice, Be noble in your secrecy, and wise.

Gio. Why, now I see she loves me.

Ann. One word more.

As ever virtue liv'd within your mind,

As ever noble courses were your guide,

As ever you would have me know you lov'd me,

Let not my father know hereof by you:

If I hereafter find that I must marry,

It shall be you or none.

Sor. I take that promise.