Cor. Infinite: it were More easy to conjecture every hour We have to live, than reckon up the kinds, Soph. Thus you conclude, that, as the cause is doubtful, The cure must be impossible; and then Our prince, poor gentleman, is lost for ever, Cor. My lord, you are too quick; thus much I dare Promise and do; ere many minutes pass, I will discover whence his sadness is, Soph. For reward You shall make your own demand. Cor. May I be sure? Are. We both will pledge our truth. Cor. 'Tis soon perform'd. That I may be discharged from my attendance At court, and never more be sent for after : Cor. I'll acquaint you With what is to be done; and you shall fashion it. [Exeunt. SCENE II. A Room in THAMASTA'S House. Enter KALA and PARTHENOPHILL. Kala. My lady does expect you, thinks all time Too slow till you come to her: wherefore, young man, If you intend to love me, and me only, Par. I dare not wrong you ; You are too violent. Kala. Wrong me no more Than I wrong you; be mine, and I am yours; Par. Then, to resolve All further hopes, you never can be mine, Must not, and, pardon though I say, you shall not. Kala. The thing is sure a gelding. [Aside.]Shall not! Well, You were best to prate unto my lady now, What proffer I have made. Par. Never, I vow. Kala. Do, do! 'tis but a kind heart of my own, And ill luck can undo me.-Be refused! O scurvy!-Pray walk on, I'll overtake you. [Exit PAR. What a green-sickness liver'd boy is this! Men. Parthenophill passed this way; prithee, Your bounty has engaged my truth, receive Startle your reason; 'tis but mere respect Dear sir, The stranger, whom your courtesy received Men. Rival, Kala? Take heed; thou art too credulous. Kala. My lady Doats on him: I will place you in a room, Where, though you cannot hear, yet you shall see Such passages as will confirm the truth Of my intelligence. Men. "Twill make me mad. Kala. Yes, yes. It makes me mad too, that a gentleman 3 But I'll mar her market.] Her mistress's; whom she accordingly betrays to Menaphon. So excellently sweet, so liberal, So kind, so proper, should be so betray'd By a young smooth-chinn'd straggler; but, for love's sake, Bear all with manly courage.-Not a word; Men. That were too much pity: Honest, most honest Kala! 'tis thy care, Thy serviceable care. Kala. You have ev'n spoken All can be said or thought. Men. I will reward thee: But as for him, ungentle boy, I'll whip Kala. O speak little. Walk up these stairs; and take this key, it opens A chamber door, where, at that window yonder, You may see all their courtship. Men. I am silent. Kala. As little noise as may be, I beseech you; There is a back stair to convey you forth Unseen or unsuspected.- [Exit MENAPHON. He that cheats A waiting-woman of a free good turn She longs for, must expect a shrewd revenge. Sheep-spirited boy! altho' he had not married me, He might have proffer'd kindness in a corner, come: On goes my set of faces most demurely. Enter THAMASTA and PARTHENOPHILL. Tha. Forbear the room. Kala. Yes, madam. Tha. Whosoever Requires access to me, deny him entrance Till I call thee; and wait without. Kala. I shall. Sweet Venus, turn his courage to a snow-ball, I heartily beseech it! Tha. I expose [Aside, and exit. The honour of my birth, my fame, my youth, In seeking an adventure of a parley, So private, with a stranger: if your thoughts Of your most noble nature, that to question Would argue me uncivil; which is more, 4 Would argue me uncivil.] i. e. unacquainted with the language and manners of good society. In this sense the word frequently occurs in our old dramas. |