i His taken labours bid him me forgive; I, his despightful Juno, sent him forth Ah, what sharp slings are in her mildest words? Which thus she hath prevented. If I had given you this at over-night Purfuit would-be but vain. Count. What angel shall Bless this unworthy husband? he cannot thrive, [Exeunt. SCENE changes to a publick place in Florence. A Tucket afar off. Enter an old widow of Florence, Diana, Violenta, and Wid. Mariana, with other citizens. NAY, comha For if they do approach the city, we shall lose all the fight. Dia. They say, the French Count has done most honourable service. Wid. It is reported, that he has ta'en their greateft commander; and that with his own hand he flew the Duke's brother. We have lost our labour, they are gone a contrary way: hark, you may know by their trumpets. Mar. Come, let's return again, and suffice ourselves with the report of it. Well, Diana, take heed of this French Earl; the honour of a maid is her name, and no legacy is so rich as honesty. Wid. I have told my neighbour, how you have been follicited by a gentleman his companion. Mar. I know that knave, (hang him!) one Parolles; a filthy officer he is in those suggestions for the young Earl; beware of them, Diana; (28) their promises, (28) Their promises, enticements, oaths, tokens, and all these engines of luft, are not the things they go under;) i.e. They are not in reality fo true and fincere, as in appearance they seem to be. This. will be best explain'd by another passage in Hamlet, where Polonius is counfelling his daughter. I do know, When the blood burns, how prodigal the foul You must not take for fire. -- In few, Ophelia, Do not believe his vows, for they are brokers enticements, enticements, oaths, tokens, and all these engines of = lust, are not the things they go under; many a maid hath been seduced by them, and the misery is, example, that so terribly shews in the wreck of maidenhood, cannot for all that dissuade succession, but that they are limed with the twigs that threaten them. I hope, I need not to advise you further, but, I hope, your own grace will keep you where you are, tho' there were no further danger known, but the modesty which - is so lost. Dia. You shall not need to fear me. Enter Helena, disguis'd like a Pilgrim; Wid. I hope fo. - Look, here comes a Pilgrim; I - know, she will lie at my house; thither they send one another; I'll question her: God save you, pilgrim! whither are you bound ? Hel. To St. Jacques le Grand. Where do the Palmers lodge, I do beseech you ? Wid. At the St. Francis, beside the port. Hel. Is this the way? [A march afar off. Wid. Ay, marry, is't. Hark you, they come this way. If you will tarry, holy Pilgrim, but 'till the troops come by, I will conduct you where you shall be lodg'd; The rather, for, I think, I know your hoftess As ample as my self. Hel. Is it yourself? Wid. If you fhall please so, Pilgrim. Hel. I thank you, and will stay upon your leisure. Hel. I did fo. Wid. Here you shall see a countryman of yours, That has done worthy service. Hel. His name, I pray you?: Dia. The Count Roufillon: know you such a one? His face I know not. Dia. Whatsoe'er he is, He's bravely taken here. He stole from France, As 'tis reported; for the King had married him Hel. Ay, furely, mere the truth; I know his Lady. Reports but coarsely of her. Hel. What's his name? Dia. Monfieur Parolles. Hel. Oh, I believe with him, In argument of praise, or to the worth Of the great Count himself, she is too mean Is a referved honesty, and that I have not heard examin'd. Dia. Alas, poor Lady! 'Tis a hard bondage, to become the wife Of a detesting Lord. Wid. Ah! right; good creature! wheresoe'er she is, Her heart weighs sadly; this young maid might do hez A shrewd turn, if she pleas'd. Hel. How do you mean? May be, the am'rous Count sollicits her In the unlawful purpose. Wid. He does, indeed; And brokes with all, that can in such a suit But she is arm'd for him, and keeps her guard Drum and Colours. Enter Bertram, Parolles, Officers and Soldiers attending. Mar. The gods forbid elfe ! Wid. So, now they come: That is Antonio, the Duke's eldest son; That Escalus. Hel. Which is the Frenchman ? That with the plume; 'tis a most gallant fellow; Dia. "Tis pity, he is not honest; yond's that same' knave, (29) That leads him to these paces; were I his Lady, I'd poison that vile rascal. Hel. Which is he? Dia. That jack-an-apes with scarfs. Why is he melancholy ? Hel. Perchance, he's hurt i' th' battle. Par. Lose our drum! well. Mar. He's shrewdly vex'd at something. Look, he has fpied us. Wid. Marry, hang you! [Exeunt Ber. Par. &c. Mar. And your curtesy, for a ring-carrier! Wid. The troop is past: come, Pilgrim, I will bring you, Where you shall host: Of injoyn'd penitents Hel. I humbly thank you: Please it this matron, and this gentle maid Both. We'll take your offer kindly. [Exeunt. Enter Bertram, and the two French Lords. 1 Lord. Nay, good my Lord, put him to't: let him have his way. 2 Lord. If your Lordship find him not a hilding, hold me no more in your respect. 1 Lord. On my life, my Lord, a bubble. (29) --Yond's that same fillow, That leads bim to these Places. What places? He did not lead him to be general of horfse under the Duke of Florence, fure. Nor have they been talking of brothels; or, indeed, any particular Locality. I make no question, but our author wrote; That leads bim to these paces. i. e. to fuch irregular steps, to courses of debauchery, to not loving his wife. ? |