There's nothing here that is too good for him That twenty such rude boys might tend upon Count. Parolles, was it not? First Gent. Ay, my good lady, he. Count. A very tainted fellow, and full of wicked The fellow has a deal of that too much, Count. You're welcome, gentlemen. The honour that he loses: more I'll entreat you Sec. Gent. We serve you, madam, In that and all your worthiest affairs. Count. Not so, but as we change our courtesies. 100 Will you draw near? [Exeunt Countess and Gentlemen. Hel. 'Till I have no wife, I have nothing in France.' Nothing in France, until he has no wife! Thou shalt have none, Rousillon, none in France; Of the none-sparing war? and is it I That drive thee from the sportive court, where thou 92, 93. He has plenty of that superfluous thing, a vain belief in his own merit. Wast shot at with fair eyes, to be the mark Of smoky muskets? O you leaden messengers, That ride upon the violent speed of fire, Fly with false aim; move the still-piecing air, I met the ravin lion when he roar'd With sharp constraint of hunger; better 'twere Were mine at once. No, come thou home, Rou sillon, My being here it is that holds thee hence: To consolate thine ear. Come, night; end, day! [Exit. SCENE III. Florence. Before the DUKE's palace. Flourish. ing. Enter the DUKE of Florence, BERTRAM, PAROLLES, Soldiers, Drum, and Trumpets. Duke. The general of our horse thou art; and we, 113. still-piecing, still-closSteevens' emendation for Ff still-peering or still-piercing. 120 130 120. ravin, ravenous. 124. Whence, from thence where. Great in our hope, lay our best love and credence Ber. Sir, it is A charge too heavy for my strength, but yet Duke. And fortune play upon thy prosperous helm, Ber. Then go thou forth; This very day, Great Mars, I put myself into thy file: Make me but like my thoughts, and I shall prove [Exeunt. ΙΟ must be winter SCENE IV. Rousillon. The COUNT's palace. Enter COUNTESS and Steward. Count. Alas! and would you take the letter Might you not know she would do as she has done, I am Saint Jacques' pilgrim, thither gone: With sainted vow my faults to have amended. My dearest master, your dear son, may hie: Bless him at home in peace, whilst I from far His name with zealous fervour sanctify: His taken labours bid him me forgive ; ΤΟ 4. Saint Jacques' pilgrim, a pilgrim to the shrine of Saint James at Compostella, Spain. From courtly friends, with camping foes to live, Where death and danger dogs the heels of worth: He is too good and fair for death and me; Whom I myself embrace, to set him free. Rinaldo, you did never lack advice so much, Stew. Pardon me, madam : She might have been o'erta'en; and yet she writes, Count. What angel shall Bless this unworthy husband? he cannot thrive, Unless her prayers, whom heaven delights to hear And loves to grant, reprieve him from the wrath Of greatest justice. Write, write, Rinaldo, To this unworthy husband of his wife; Let every word weigh heavy of her worth That he does weigh too light: my greatest grief, Though little he do feel it, set down sharply. Dispatch the most convenient messenger: When haply he shall hear that she is gone, He will return; and hope I may that she, Hearing so much, will speed her foot again, Led hither by pure love: which of them both Is dearest to me, I have no skill in sense To make distinction: provide this messenger: My heart is heavy and mine age is weak; Grief would have tears, and sorrow bids me speak. [Exeunt. 19. advice, judgment. 30. this unworthy husband of, this husband unworthy of. 20 30 40 SCENE V. Florence. Without the walls. A Enter an old Widow of Florence, DIANA, VIOLENTA, and MARIANA, with other Citizens. Wid. Nay, come; for if they do approach the city, we shall lose all the sight. Dia. They say the French count has done most honourable service. Wid. It is reported that he has taken their greatest commander; and that with his own hand he slew the duke's brother. [Tucket.] 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 to 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 solicited 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; their promises, enticements, oaths, tokens, and 20 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 terrible shows 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 18. suggestions, solicitations. 22. go under, pass for. 177 18. officer, agent. VOL. III N |