Twenty times over, set it to her mouth, Then gave it me, then snatch'd it back again, Then cried, "Oh, my poor heart!" and, in an instant, "Commend my truth and secrecy." Such medley Of passion yet I never saw in woman. Adur. In woman? thou'rt deceiv'd; but that we both Had mothers, I could say how women are, In their own natures, models of mere change; Fut. Twenty ducats She forced on me; vow'd, by the precious love Her very words), the miracle of men, Malfato, then she sigh'd,-this mite of gold How durst she tempt thee [thus,] Futelli, knowing Fut. There lies, my lord, her cunning, I answer'd, she was happy then, whose choice Adur. Well urg'd. Fut. She smiled, and said, it might be so; and yet There stopp'd: then I closed with her, and concluded The title of a lord was not enough, For absolute perfection; I had seen Exact in fair endowments-but your lordship Adur. And love thee for it. Fut. "Phew! let that pass," quoth she, "and now we prattle Of handsome gentlemen, in my opinion, 2 Is he not, pray, sir?" I had then the truth Adur. For delivering A letter to Malfato? Fut. Whereto I No sooner had consented, with protests- And service, but she kiss'd me, as I live, Kind superscription! prithee, find him out, How ceremoniously he does receive it. Fut. Will not your lordship peruse the contents? Adur. Enough, I know too much; be just and cunning. Much newer project labours in my brain, Enter PIERO. Your friend! here 's now the Gemini of wit: Piero. Very fine, I do protest, my lord. Fut. Your lordship's ear Shall share i' the plot. Adur. As how? Piero. You know, my lord, Young Amoretta, old Trelcatio's daughter; Fut. And, my good lord, He that is honest must be poor, my lord; Adur. Well, Amoretta. Pray, one at once-my knowledge is not much Piero. Speak, Futelli. Fut. Spare me. Piero has the tongue more pregnant. Piero. Nay, nay. Adur. Well, keep your mirth, my dainty honeys; agree Some two days hence, till when Piero. By any means, Partake the sport, my lord; this thing of youth— Fut. Handsome enough, good face, quick eye, well bred. Piero. Is yet possess'd so strangely— Fut. With a humour Of thinking she deserves Piero. A duke, a count, At least a viscount, for her husband, that Fut. She scorns all mention of a match be neath One of the foresaid nobles; will not ride In a caroch without eight horses. They're not for creatures of Heaven's making; fitter Fut. Fitter for litters to convey hounds in, Walks evermore a-foot, and knows not whether Fut. But by hearsay. Adur. Stop, gentlemen, you run a gallop both; Are out of breath sure: 't is a kind of compli ment Scarce enter'd to the times; but certainly You coin a humour; let me understand Piero. In plain troth, My lord, the she whom we describe is such, Fut. Has refused suitors Of worthy rank, substantial and free parts, Guzman, the Spaniard late cashier'd, most gravely And him have we beleaguer'd to accost This she-piece, under a pretence of being A gentleman out of a sutler's hut, In the late Flemish wars; we have resolv'd him He is descended from Pantagruel, of famous memory, by the father's side, And by the mother from dame Fusti-Bunga. Adur. You must abuse the maid," Beyond amends. Fut. But countenance the course, My lord, and it may chance, besides the mirth, Her father's leave is granted, and thanks promised; Adur. I betray No secrets of such use. Piero and Fut. Your lordship's humblest. [Exeunt. SCENE III. A Room in MALFATO's House. Enter AURELIO and MALFATO. Aurel. A melancholy, grounded, and resolv'd, Or deep impression of strong discontents. Upon whose faith and confidence we may Our souls of secret clogs, where they may find Aurel. Perhaps You measure what I say the common nature Mal. Not I, sir. 1 You must abuse the maid.] If must be not an error of the press for much, it is used here in the sense of it cannot be but you abuse the maid beyond, &c.-GIFFORD. VOL. II.-3 |