Draw with idle spiders' strings [Exit. Mari. Break off thy song, and haste thee quick away; Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice Hath often still'd my brawling discontent.— Enter DUKE. [Exit Boy. I cry you mercy, sir; and well could wish Let me excuse me, and believe me so, My mirth it much displeas'd, but pleas'd my woe. Duke. 'Tis good: though musick oft hath such a charm, To make bad, good, and good provoke to harm. I pray you, tell me, hath any body inquired for me here to-day? much upon this time have I promis'd here to meet. Mari. You have not been inquired after: I have sat here all day. Enter ISABELLA. Duke. I do constantly believe you:-The time is come, even now. I shall crave your forbearance a little; may be, I will call upon you anon, for some advantage to yourself. Mari. I am always bound to you. Duke. Very well met, and welcome. What is the news from this good deputy? [Exit. Isab. He hath a garden circummur'd with brick, Whose western side is with a vineyard back'd; And to that vineyard is a planched gate, Which from the vineyard to the garden leads; Duke. But shall you on your knowledge find this way? With whispering and most guilty diligence, In action all of precept, he did show me The way twice o'er. Duke. Are there no other tokens Between you 'greed, concerning her observance ? Isab. No, none, but only a repair i' the dark; Duke. 'Tis well borne up. I have not yet made known to Mariana A word of this:-What, ho! within! come forth! Re-enter MARIANA. I pray you, be acquainted with this maid; I do desire the like. Isab. found it. Duke. Take then this your companion by the hand, Who hath a story ready for your ear: I shall attend your leisure; but make haste; The vaporous night approaches. Mari. Will't please you walk aside? [Exeunt Mariana and Isabella, Duke. O place and greatness, millions of false eyes Are stuck upon thee! volumes of report Run with these false and most contrarious quests Make thee the father of their idle dream, And rack thee in their fancies!-Welcome! How agreed? Re-enter MARIANA and ISABELLA. Isab. She'll take the enterprize upon her, father, If you advise it. Duke. It is not my consent, But my intreaty too. Isab. Little have you to say, When you depart from him, but, soft and low, Mari. Fear me not. Duke. Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all: He is your husband on a pre-contract: To bring you thus together, 'tis no sin; Sith that the justice of your title to him Our corn's to reap, for yet our tithe's to sow 49. [Exeunt. SCENE II. A Room in the Prison. Enter Provost and Clown. Prov. Come hither, sirrah: Can you cut off a man's head? Clo. If the man be a bachelor, sir, I can: but if he be a married man, he is his wife's head, and I can never cut off a woman's head. Prov. Come, sir, leave me your snatches, and yield me a direct answer. To-morrow morning are to die |