Troy. But when time shall wonder

How much it was mistaken in the issue

Of honourable and secure contrivements;

Your wisdom, crown'd with laurels of a justice
Deserving approbation, will quite foil

The ignorance of popular opinion.

Oct. Report is merry with my feats; my dotage,

Undoubtedly, the vulgar voice doth carol it.
Troy. True, sir; but Romanello's late admission
Warrants that giddy confidence of rumour
Without all contradiction; now 'tis oracle,
And so receiv'd: I am confirm'd the lady,
By this time, proves his scorn as well as laughter
Oct. And we with her his table-talk ;-she
stands not

More than her wonted nobleness afforded

Out of a civil custom.

Oct. We are resolute.

In our determination, meaning quickly

To cause these clouds fly off; the ordering of it, Nephew, is thine.

Troy. Your care, and love commands me.

Enter LIVIO.

Liv. I come, my lord, a suitor.

Oct. Honest Livio,

Perfectly honest, really; no fallacies,

No flaws are in thy truth: I shall promote thee

To place more eminent.

Troy. Livio deserves it.

Oct. What suit? speak boldly.

Liv. Pray discharge my office,

8

My mastership; 'twere better live a yeoman,
And live with men, than over-eye your horses,
Whilst I myself am ridden like a jade.

Oct. Such breath sounds but ill-manners; know, young man,

Old as we are, our soul retains a fire

Active and quick in motion, which shall equal
The daring'st boy's ambition of true manhood
That wears a pride to brave us.

Troy. He's my friend, sir.

Oct. You are weary of our service, and may leave it;

We can court no man's duty.

Liv. Without passion,

My lord, d'ye think your nephew here, your Troylo,

Parts in your spirit' as freely as your blood?

'Tis no rude question.

Oct. Had you known his mother,

You might have sworn her honest; let him justify

8

'twere better live a yeoman,

And live with men,] One of these words was apparently caught from the other; I should like to exchange the first of them for be. d'ye think your nephew here, your Troylo,

9

Parts in your spirit] i. e. partakes of your nobleness of mind, your high courage, &c. In other words, "will he fight?”

Himself not base born: for thy sister's sake,
I do conceive the like of thee; be wiser,
But prate to me no more thus.-[TO TROYLO.]—
If the gallant

Resolve on my attendance, ere he leave me,
Acquaint him with the present service, nephew,

I meant to employ him in.

Troy. Fie, Livio, wherefore

Turn'd wild upon the sudden?
Liv. Pretty gentleman,

[Exit.

How modestly you move your doubts! how tamely!

Ask Romanello; he hath, without leave,

Survey'd your Bowers of Fancies, hath discover'd The mystery of those pure nuns, those chaste

ones,

Untouch'd, forsooth! the holy academy!

Hath found a mother's daughter there of mine too, And one who call'd my father, father; talks on't, Ruffles in mirth on't; baffled to my face

The glory of her greatness by it.

Troy. Truly?

Liv. Death to my sufferance, canst thou hear this misery,

And answer it with a truly"? 'Twas thy wick

edness,

False as thine own heart, tempted my credulity;
That, her to ruin: she was once an innocent,
As free from spot as the blue face of heaven,
Without a cloud in't; she is now as sullied

As is that canopy when mists and vapours Divide it from our sight, and threaten pestilence. Troy. Says he so, Livio ?

Liv. Yes, an't like your nobleness,

He truly does so say! Your breach of friendship
With me, must borrow courage from your uncle,
Whilst your sword talks an answer; there's no
remedy,

I will have satisfaction, though thy life
Come short of such demand.

Troy. Then satisfaction,

Much worthier than your sword can force, you shall have,

Yet mine shall keep the peace. I can be angry,
And brave aloud in my reply; but honour
Schools me to fitter grounds: this, as a gentleman,
I promise, ere the minutes of the night
Warn us to rest, such satisfaction,-hear me,
And credit it-as more you cannot wish for,
So much, not think of.

Liv. Not? the time is short;

Before our sleeping hour, you vow?

Troy. I do,

Before we ought to sleep.

Liv. So I intend too;1

On confidence of which, what left the marquis
In charge for me? I'll do't.

Troy. Invite count Julio,

So I intend too ;] i. e. such is my meaning; such is the way

in which I also understand it.

His lady, and her brother, with their company, To my lord's court at supper.

Liv. Easy business;

And then

Troy. And then, soon after, the performance Of my past vow waits on ye; but be certain You bring them with you.

Liv. Yet your servant.

Troy. Nearer, my friend; you'll find no less. Liv. 'Tis strange: is't possible?

SCENE II.

Another Room in the same.

[Exeunt.

Enter CASTAMELA, CLARELLA, FLORIA, and
SILVIA.

Cast. You have discours'd to me a lovely story, My heart doth dance to th' music; 'twere a sin Should I in any tittle stand distrustful,

Where such a people, such as you are, innocent Even by the patent of your years and language, Inform a truth. O! talk it o'er again.

You are, you say, three daughters of one mother, That mother only sister to the marquis,

Whose charge hath, since her death, (being left a widow,)

Here in this place preferr'd your education?
Is't so?

Clar. It is even so; and howsoever

Report may wander loosely in some scandal