To feel, to know I am no better than the thing I am, Having but just now learned to rate my vileness. My unworthy part so bitterly as I do. If there's about me anything that's honest, JULIUS. Then I'll not grieve you— I came with frowns, but I depart in tears And sorrow for you both; for what he was, And what you might have been—a pair of wonders, The fair-blown pride of his unblemished youth, His studious years And for what poor exchange? these fading charms— I will not say how frail. LAMIA. O hold-pray hold! Your words have subtle cruel stings, and pierce But now, alas! A sudden truth dawns on me, like a light JULIUS. I pity you! Nay, doubtless, you will be, some wretched day, My brother's heart will break at your desertion. LAMIA. O never, never! Never, by holy truth! while I am woman Be false what may, at least my heart is honest. [Ferventiy. JULIUS. You mend your fault. This late fragmental virtue much redeems you; Pray, cherish it. Hark! what a lawless riot. [A loud boisterous shout is heard from below. O hope-Again! (the noise renewed) why then this is a triumph Of your true fame, which I had just mistaken; Shame on thee, smooth dissembler--shame upon Enter the wild Gallants, flushed with wine. LAMIA. Sir, by heaven's verity I do not know a face! indeed I do not; They are strange to me as the future. thee ! CURIO. Then the future Must serve us better, chuck. Here, bully mates, JULIUS. Is it so? then Lycius is fallen indeed! CURIO. Ay, he has had his trip-as who has not, sir? In pity do not go, for your brother's sake, If not for mine—take up my guardianship, 'Gainst these ungentle men. [She lays hold of JULIUS. GALLO. Let him go! He has a graft in him of that sour crab, The Apollonius-let him go, a churl! CURIO. Sweet lady, you look sad-fie, it was ill done of Lycius, To leave his dove so soon-but he has some swan At nest in another place. GALLO. I'll bet my mare on't. LAMIA. Kind sirs, indeed I'm sorry Your friend's not here. If he were by, CURIO. We've no doubt on't ; But we'll not grieve, since here we are quite enough {Bitterly. For any merriment. GALLO. And as for a welcome, We'll acknowledge it on your cheer. LAMIA. Then that's but sorry, sir, If you mean what lies in my heart. GALLO. No, no in faith, We mean what lies in your cellar-wine, rare wine, We will pledge you in floods on't, and when knocked off our legs, Adore you on our knees. LAMIA. Hear me, sweet gentles, favor. Set to work and copy— How you shall win my favor. Be each a Lycius. GALLO. Lycius, forsooth! hang him! A model again! the perfect model. CURIO. As if we could not match his vices! Pray ask your Lycius, when he's new come back, (If ever he come back) What his father ailed, or if he ailed at all, And how it ailed too, that his brother Julius GALLO. It had charmed your heart to see how swift he ran, Laugh on, I pray, laugh on. Ye puny spites! [She attempts to laugh. Or if I cannot, 'tis because I'm choked with a curse. GALLO. [She hurries out. It works! it wings her! What shall we next? |