Arn. Oh, oh my head!

Sor. What's the matter, not well?

Ann. Oh, I begin to sicken.

Gio. Heaven forbid!

[Exit from above.

Sor. Help, help, within there, ho!

Enter FLORIO, GIOVANNI, and PUTANA.

Look to your daughter," Signior Florio.
Flo. Hold her up, she swoons.

Gio. Sister, how do you?

Ann. Sick,-brother, are you there?

Flo. Convey her to bed instantly, whilst I send

for a physician; quickly, I say.

Put. Alas, poor child!

Vas. My lord.

[Exeunt all but SOR.

Re-enter VASQUES.

Sor. Oh, Vasques! now I doubly am undone, Both in my present and my future hopes: She plainly told me that she could not love, And thereupon soon sicken'd; and I fear

Her life's in danger.

Vas. By'r lady, sir, and so is yours, if you knew all. [Aside.]-Las, sir, I am sorry for that; may be, 'tis but the maids-sickness, an over-flux of youth; and then, sir, there is no such present remedy as present marriage. But hath she given you an absolute denial?

7 Look to your daughter.] The old copy gives this speech to the brother. It is evidently a continuation of Soranzo's call for assistance.

Sor. She hath, and she hath not; I'm full of

grief;

But what she said, I'll tell thee as we go.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.

Another Room in the same.

Enter GIOVANNI and PUTANA.

Put. Oh, sir, we are all undone, quite undone, utterly undone, and shamed for ever: your sister, oh your sister!

Gio. What of her? for heaven's sake, speak; how does she?

Put. Oh that ever I was born to see this day! Gio. She is not dead, ha? is she?

Put. Dead! no, she is quick;-'tis worse, she is with child. You know what you have done; heaven forgive you! 'tis too late to repent now, heaven help us!

Gio. With child? how dost thou know't?

Put. How do I know't? am I at these years ignorant what the meanings of qualms and waterpangs be? of changing of colours, queasiness of stomachs, pukings, and another thing that I could name? Do not, for her and your credit's sake, spend the time in asking how, and which way, 'tis so she is quick, upon my word; if you let a physician see her water, you are undone. Gio. But in what case is she?

Put. Prettily amended: 'twas but a fit, which I soon espied, and she must look for often henceforward.

Gio. Commend me to her, bid her take no

care;8

Let not the doctor visit her, I charge you;
Make some excuse, till I return.-Oh me!
I have a world of business in my head.
Do not discomfort her-

How do these news perplex me! If my father
Come to her, tell him she's recover'd well;

Say 'twas but some ill diet-d'ye hear, woman? Look you to't.

Put. I will, sir.

SCENE IV.

Another Room in the same.

Enter FLORIO and RICHARDETTO.

Flo. And how do you find her, sir?
Rich. Indifferent well;

[Exeunt.

I see no danger, scarce perceive she's sick,
But that she told me, she had lately eaten
Melons, and, as she thought, those disagree'd
With her young stomach.

Flo. Did you give her aught?

Rich. An easy surfeit-water, nothing else; You need not doubt her health; I rather think

Bid her take no care.] i. e. bid her not to be too anxious, or apprehensive.

Her sickness is a fulness of her blood-
You understand me?

Flo. I do; you counsel well;

And once, within these few days, will so order it,
She shall be married ere she know the time.
Rich. Yet let not haste, sir, make unworthy
choice;

That were dishonour.

Flo. Master doctor, no;

I will not do so neither: in plain words,
My Lord Soranzo is the man I mean.

Rich. A noble and a virtuous gentleman.
Flo. As any is in Parma: not far hence,
Dwells Father Bonaventure, a grave friar,
Once tutor to my son; now at his cell
I'll have them married.

Rich. You have plotted wisely.

Flo. I'll send one straight to speak with him
to-night.

Rich. Soranzo's wise; he will delay no time.
Flo. It shall be so.

Enter FRIAR and GIOVANNI.

Friar. Good peace be here, and love! Flo. Welcome, religious friar; you are one That still bring blessing to the place you come to. Gio. Sir, with what speed I could, I did my best To draw this holy man from forth his cell, To visit my sick sister; that with words Of ghostly comfort, in this time of need, He might absolve her, whether she live or die.

Flo. 'Twas well done, Giovanni; thou herein Hast show'd a Christian's care, a brother's love: Come, father, I'll conduct you to her chamber, And one thing would entreat you. Friar. Say on, sir.

Flo. I have a father's dear impression, And wish, before I fall into my grave, That I might see her married, as 'tis fit;

A word from you, grave man, will win her more Than all our best persuasions.

Friar. Gentle sir,

All this I'll say, that Heaven may prosper her.

[Exeunt.

SCENE V.

A Room in RICHARDETTO's House.

Enter GRIMALDI.

Grim. Now if the doctor keep his word, So

ranzo,

Twenty to one you miss your bride. I know
'Tis an unnoble act, and not becomes
A soldier's valour; but in terms of love,
Where merit cannot sway, policy must:
I am resolv'd, if this physician

Play not on both hands, then Soranzo falls.

Enter RICHARDETTO.

Rich. You are come as I could wish; this very

night

Soranzo, 'tis ordain'd, must be affied