Enter BERGETTO and POGGIO.

ERGETTO. Does my uncle think to make me a baby still? No, Poggio; he shall know I have a sconce1 now.

Peg. 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: didst see the codpiece-point she gave me and the box of marmalade? Pog. Very well; and kissed you, that my chops watered at the sight on't. There's no way but to clap-up a marriage in hugger-mugger.

Ber. I will do't; 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 doting rascal! no: I say I will have her.

Pog. Lose no time, then.

Ber. I will beget a race of wise men and constables

1 Head,

that shall cart whores at their own charges; and break the duke's peace ere I have done myself. Come away. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.-A Room in FLORIO'S House.

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

Flo. My Lord Soranza, 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 have prevailed
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. [Aside to ANNABELI A]. Sister, be not all woman;

think on me.

Sor. Vasques,

Vas.

Sor.

My lord?

Attend me without.

[Exeunt all but Soranzo and Annabella.

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

Sor.

What I should tell you?.

Ann.

Do you not know

Yes; you'll say you love me.

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

Ann. 'Tis no point of faith.

Ann.

That's as the fates infer.

Gio. [Aside] Of those I'm regent now.

Sor.

Ann. To live and die a maid.

Sor.

What mean you, sweet?

O, that's unfit.

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

note.

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

Gio. [Aside] One such another word would kill his

hopes.

Sor. Mistress, to leave those fruitless strifes of wit,
Know I have loved you long and loved 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.

Sor. [Aside] 'Tis plain she laughs at me.-These

scornful taunts

Neither become your modesty or years.

Ann. You are no looking-glass: or if you were, I'd dress my language by you.

Gio. [Aside]

I'm confirmed.

Ann. To put you out of doubt, my lord, methinks Your common sense should make you understand That if I loved 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 picked 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. [Aside] Why, now I see she loves me.
Ann.

As ever virtue lived within your mind,
As ever noble courses were your guide,
As ever you would have me know you
Let not my father know hereof by you:
If I hereafter find that I must marry,

It shall be you or none.

Sor.

Ann. O, O my head!

One word more.

loved me,

I take that promise.

Sor. What's the matter? not well?

Ann. O, I begin to sicken!

Gio.

Heaven forbid !

[Aside, and exit from above.

Sor. Help, help, within there, ho!

1

Re-enter FLORIO, GIOVANNI, and PUTANA.

Look to your daughter, Signior Florio.

Flo. Hold her up, she swoons.

Gio. Sister, how d'ye ?

Ann.

Sick,

brother, are you there?

Flo. Convey her to her bed instantly, whilst I send for

a physician: quickly, I say.

Put. Alas, poor child!

Vas. My lord,

[Exeunt all but SORANZO.

Re-enter VASQUES.

Sor. O, 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 sickened; and I fear
Her life's in danger.

yours, if you may be 'tis but

Vas. [Aside] By'r lady, sir, and so is knew all.—'Las, sir, I am sorry for that the maid's-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?

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. O, sir, we are all undone, quite undone, utterly undone, and shamed for ever! your sister, O, your sister!

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

Put. O, 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 ye! 'tis too late to repent now, Heaven help us! Gio. With child? how dost thou know't?