Coz. She is delivered, And feelingly, to us by Contarino, For a master-piece in nature. I would have you All those perfections that may take a virgin, San. This is, sir, An easy task. Coz. Yet, one that must exact Your secrecy and diligence. Let not Your stay be long. San. It shall not, sir. Coz. Farewell, And be, as you would keep our favour, careful. [Exeunt, He's blind with too much light. Have you not | Instead of little dogs, are privileged We would not be abused. Who have we here? Fio. And looks as if he were Conning his neck-verse. Caland. If I now prove perfect In my A. B. C. of courtship, Calandrino Is made for ever. On a how d'ye, as they call it. To carry musk-cats. Fio. Now the ceremony Is passed, what is the substance? My instructions, and then tell you. Her skirt kissed, Inform her highness, that your lord Cal. Who's that? Caland. Prince Giovanni, who entreats your grace, That he, with your good favour, may have leave To present his service to you. I think I have nicked it, For a courtier of the first form. Fio. To my wonder. Enter GIOVANNI and a Gentleman. Caland. We will share: I know It is the custom of the court, when ten Are promised, five is fair. Fie! fie! the prin cess Shall never know it, so you dispatch me quickly, Cal. Very good, sir. [Exeunt CALANDRINO and CALAMINTA. Giov. Pray you, friend, Caland. Let me sec my notes. These are her Inform the duke I am putting into act lodgings. Well. Cal. Art thou an ass? Caland. Peace! thou art a court wag-tail, [CALANDRINO still looking on his instruc tions. To interrupt me. Fio. He has given it you. What he commanded. Gent. I am proud to be employed, sir. sume To 'trench upon your privacies, may argue Caland. And then say to the illustrious Fi-o- Your princely courtesy vouchsafes to all As you were ever, the greatest mistress of Fio. You are, sir, the master, And in the country have learnt to out-do All that in court is practised. But why should we Giov. Your excellence knows so well Fio. Nay, no more of this. You shall o'ercome; no more, I pray you, sir. In your relation-hath the country life Giov. All pleasures, gracious madam, This worthy must be cherished. Giov. 'Twas a bounty You never can repent. Fio. I glory in it. And when he did return, but still with conquest, But the happiness to converse with your sweet Appeared more courtly; all the graces that virtues. I had a grave instructor, and my hours, To guide me through the labyrinth of wild passions, That laboured to imprison my free soul, A slave to vicious sloth. Fio. You speak him well. Giov. But short of his deserts. Then, for the time Of recreation, I was allowed (Against the form followed by jealous parents His daughter's sweet society. She's a virgin, Without the aids of foreign principles, Fio. Your whole age, So spent with such a father, and a daughter, Giov. True, great princess: And now, since you have pleased to grant the hearing Of my time's expence in the country, give me leave To entreat the favour, to be made acquainted Fio. I'll meet your demand, And make a plain discovery. The duke's care For my estate and person, holds the first And choicest place; then, the respect the cour tiers Pay gladly to me, not to be contemned. But that which raised in me the most delight, Of the brave count Sanazarro. I profess, to me Render a man's society dear to ladies, Giov. To divert your thoughts, Fio. You will ask, I do presume, what I may grant, and then It must not be denied. Giov. It is a favour, For which, I hope, your excellence will thank me, To take occasion to move the duke, Fio. 'Tis rank, he loves her: But I will fit him with a suit. [Aside.] I pause not, As if it bred or doubt or scruple in me, Giov. Command ine, madam. Fio. 'Tis near allied to yours. That you be would A suitor to the duke, not to expose, Giov. Hum! I'll embrace, fair princess, The soonest opportunity. The duke! Coz. Nay, blush not; we smile on your pri one; Nor wealth nor greatness makes him proud. Too few of them; for most of our new courtiers, And left their heirs rich from their knowledge that way, Like gourds shot up in a night, disdain to speak But to cloth of tissue. Enter CAROLO CHAROMONTE in a night gown, PETRUCHIO following. Car. Stand, you prating knaves, When such a guest is under my roof! See all The rooms perfumed. This is the man that car ries The sway and swing of the court; and I had rather Preserve him mine, with honest offices, than Pet. But what is't? French trash, made of rot-But I'll make no comparisons. Bid my daughter Trim herself up to the height; I know this courtier Must have a smack at her; and, perhaps, by his place, Expects to wriggle further. If he does, I shall deceive his hopes; For I'll not taint Caup. To the round gallery. As fits his worth and quality, but no farther. SCENE III. Enter SANAZARRO. San. I cannot apprehend, yet I have argued All ways I can imagine, for what reasons The great duke does employ me hither; and, What does increase the miracle, I must render A strict and true account, at my return, Of Lydia, this lord's daughter, and describe In what she's excellent, and where defective. 'Tis a hard task; he that will undergo To make a judgment of a woman's beauty, And see through all her plasterings and paintings, Had need of Lynceus' eyes, and, with more ease, May look, like him, through nine mud-walls, than make A true discovery of her. But the intents And secrets of my prince's heart must be Served, and not searched into. treat of, And Lyd. My hand joined to yours, |