Giov. I will use My best endeavour, sir. That I should contradict him. I am dim, sir; San. This is to my wish. [Aside. Coz. We know not what to think of this; yet would not Enter GIOVANNI, HIPPOLITO, and LODOVICO, Determine rashly of it. How do you like My nephew's horsemanship? Hip. In my judgment, sir, [Exeunt GIOVANNI, ALPHONSO, and HIPPO- It is exact and rare. This phoenix of our age? San. I have seen a maid, sir; But, if that I have judgment, no such wonder As she was delivered to you. Coz. This is strange! Alph. And, to my fancy. He did present great Alexander, mounted On his Bucephalus. Coz. You are right courtiers, And know it is your duty to cry up San. Do not betray Giov. Two of them are, in my judgment, San. But certain truth. It may be, she was The best I ever backed: I mean the roan, sir, looked on And the brown bay; but for the chesnut co loured, A novice in my judgment of a lady; you But, such as it is, your grace shall have it freely, Coz. Pray you, make choice of The richest of our furniture for these horses; [To SANAZARRO. And take my nephew with you; we, in this, Giov. Could I find now The princess Fiorinda, and persuade her San. In that, my lord, I'll aid you. Coz. We will be private; leave us. All my studies [Exeunt all but CozIMO. And serious meditations aim no farther Than this young man's good. He was my sister's Coz. My fair charge, you are welcome to us. Fio. I have found it, sir. Coz. All things go well in Urbin? Fio. Your gracious care to me, an orphan, frees me From all suspicion that my jealous fears Coz. The next summer In our own person, we will bring you thither, And seat you in your own. Fio. When you think fit, sir. But, in the mean time, with your highness' par don, With zeal and vehemence; and even when, Coz. Pray you, have patience. This was strangely carried.-Ha! are we trifled with? Dare they do this? Is Cozimo's fury, that And crush them with the tempest of my wrath To command others, that knows not to use it, And with all rigour. Yet my stern looks shall To-morrow, with the rising of sun, Be ready to ride with us. They with more safety Had trod on fork-tongued adders, than provoked [Exit COZIMO. Fior. I come not to be thanked, sir, for the me. speedy Performance of my promise touching Lydia; It is effected. San. We are undone. Fior. The duke No sooner heard me, with my best of language, He does appear, but much transformed from what He was when he came hither. Cal. I confess I am not very wise; and yet I find A fool, so he be parcel knave, in court May flourish and grow rich. Giov. Calandrino! Cal. Peace! I'm in contemplation. Giov. Don't you know me? Cal. I tell thee, no; on forfeit of my place, Giov. But you've your sense of feeling. To the making up of a signior. My spruce ruff, My quondam fellows, but saw me as I am! For instantly you must thither. Cal. My grand signior, Vouchsafe a bezolus manus, and a cringe Giov. You must ride post with letters Cal. An' it please your grace, Shall I use my coach, or foot-cloth mule? San. You widgeon, SCENE I. ACT IV. To convey a kiss from my lips to the cover of Your foot, dear signior. Car. Fie, you stoop too low, sir. Cal. The hem of your vestment, lady. Your glove is for princes; Nay, I have conned my distances. [Claps him on the shoulder. Caup. When shall we learn such gambols in our villa? rooms are so. What news at court? Cal. Basto! They are mysteries, And not to be revealed. With your favour, signior, I am in private to confer awhile With this signiora. But I'll pawn my honour, Car. Take your pleasure. Cal. The prince, in this paper, Caup. Have you forgot to dance? Pet. Will you join with us? Cal. As I like the project. Let me warm my brains, first, with the richest grape, And then I'm for you. Caup. We will want no wine. [Exeunt. Lyd. [Alone.] That this comes only from the best of princes, With a kind of adoration does command me [Kissing the letter. A saucy rudeness in me. I must do it, (Nor can I, else, learn his commands, or serve them) But with such reverence, as I would open Some holy writ, whose grave instructions beat down Rebellious sins, and teach my better part How to mount upward. So 'tis done, and I [Opens the letter. Reads. With eagle's eyes will curiously peruse it. 'Chaste Lydia! The favours are so great On me by you conferred, that to entreat "The least addition to them, in true sense May argue me of blushless impudence. 'But, such are my extremes, if you deny A farther grace, I must, unpitied, die. Haste cuts off circumstance. As you're ad Coz. "Tis more. Thou hast Abused our trust, and, in a high degree, Car. Treason! 'Tis a word My innocence understands not. Were my breast Coz. Sir, do not flatter Yourself with hope, these great and glorious words, (Which every guilty wretch, as well as you, That's armed with impudence, can with ease deliver, And with as full a mouth) can work on us; Car. Fact! What fact? You, that know only what it is, instruct me, Coz. This, then, sir. We gave up Car. And I discharged it. Coz. Take us with you, sir. And, in respect we knew his youth was prone [Erit. To women, and that, living in our court, He might make some unworthy choice, before As you have done, to his looseness. Is ill-requited, sir; for, by my soul, I was so curious that way, that I granted Access to none could tempt him, nor did ever One syllable, or obscene accent, touch His ear, that might corrupt him. Coz. No! Why, then, With your allowance did you give free way |