So far above all beauties else abroad, Fior. Fy, fy! your wit hath too much edge. Or any thing, that I could challenge mine, I serve, in love, the sister of my prince! Fior. 'Tis for your prince's sake then, not for mine? Fern. For you in him, and much for him in you, I must acknowledge, madam, I observe, In your affects," a thing to me most strange, Which makes me so much honour you the more. Fior. Pray tell it. Fern. Gladly, lady: I see how opposite to youth and custom, Of your remembrance, the becoming griefs Of so renown'd a prince as was your lord. I know it is a needless task in me, To set him forth in his deserved praise, So much more was your loss in losing him. 2 In your affects.] see p. 386. Of him! his praise should be a field too large, Fior. Sir, enough: 'tis true He well deserv'd your labour; on his death-bed As I loved him; yet since you know which way To your deserts, wear this for him and me. Fern. Madam? Fior. "Tis yours. [Offers him the ring. Fern. Methought you said, he charged you Not to impart it but to him you loved As dearly as you loved him. Fior. True, I said so. Fern. Oh, then far be it my unhallow'd hand, With any rude intrusion, should unveil A testament enacted by the dead. Fior. Why man, that testament is disannull'd, And cancell'd quite by us that live. Look here, My blood is not yet freez'd; for better instance, Be judge yourself; experience is no danger— Cold are my sighs; but feel, my lips are warm. [Kisses him. Fern. What means the virtuous marquess? Fior. To new-kiss The oath to thee, which whilst he lived was his: Hast thou yet power to love? Fern. To love! Fior. To meet Sweetness of language in discourse as sweet? Fern. Madam, 'twere dulness, past the igno rance Of common blockheads, not to understand Fern. I said, I made a vow- Enter BIANCA, PETRUCHIO, COLONA, and Blessed deliverance! Fior. Prevented? mischief on this interruption! [Aside. Bian. My lord Fernando, you encounter fitly, I have a suit t'ye. Fern. 'Tis my duty, madam, To be commanded. Bian. Since my lord, the duke, Is now dispos'd to mirth, the time serves well For mediation, that he would be pleased To take the lord Roseilli to his grace. He is a noble gentleman; I dare With us, in being suitors to the duke Fior. To court! indeed, You have some cause to speak; he undertook, The jolly riding man; pray get him back; Bian. Not need it, sister? why, I hope you think 'Tis no necessity in me to move it, More than respect of honour. Fior. Honour? puh! Honour is talk'd of more than known by some. Fior. How! is't even so? Pet. I shall for ever bless [Aside. Your highness, for your gracious kind esteem Bian. I hope so too. D'Av. Let your highness, and you all, my lords, take advice how you motion his excellency on Roseilli's behalf; there is more danger in that man than is fit to be publicly reported. I could wish things were otherwise for his own sake; but I'll assure you, you will exceedingly alter his excellency's disposition he now is in, if you but mention the name of Roseilli to his ear; I am so much acquainted in the process of his actions. Bian. If it be so, I am the sorrier, sir. I am loth to move my lord unto offence; Yet I'll adventure chiding. Fern. Oh, had I India's gold, I'd give it all T'exchange one private word, one minute's breath, With this heart-wounding beauty! [Aside. Enter the DUKE, FERENTES, and NIBRASSA. Duke. Prithee, no more, Ferentes; by the faith I owe to honour, thou hast made me laugh Beside my spleen.' Fernando, hadst thou heard The pleasant humour of Mauruccio's dotage Discours'd, how, in the winter of his age, He is become a lover, thou would'st swear A morris-dance were but a tragedy Beside my spleen.] i. e. "beyond my usual custom of laughter." The spleen seems to have been considered as the source of any sudden and violent ebullition, whether of mirth or anger. |