Boy. She was late belov'd, as you were, promis'd faith
And marriage; and was worthy of a better
Than he, that stole Maria's heart.
Ha. How's that?
Boy. Just as Maria dealt with your affection,
Did he that married her deal with my Mistriss,
When careless both of Honor and Religion;
They cruelly gave away their hearts to strangers.
Ha. Part of this truth I know, but prethee boy
Proceed to that thou cam'st for; thou didst Promise
Something, thy language cannot hitherto
Encourage me to hope for.
Boy. That I come to:
My Mistriss thus unkindly dealt withal,
You may imagine, wanted no affliction;
And had e'r this, wept her self dry as Marble,
Had not your fortune come to her relief,
And twinn to her own sorrow brought her comfort.
Ha. Could the condition of my fate so equal,
Lessen her sufferings?
Boy. I know not how
Companions in grief sometimes diminish
And make the pressure easie by degrees:
She threw her troubles off, remembring yours,
And from her pity of your wrongs, there grew
Affection to your person thus increas'd,
And with it, confidence, that those whom Nature
Had made so even in their weight of sorrow,
Could not but love as equally one another,
Were things but well prepar'd, this gave her boldness
To employ me thus far.
Ha. A strange message, boy.
Boy. If you incline to meet my Mistriss love,
It may beget your comforts; besides that,
'Tis some revenge, that you above their scorn
And pride can laugh at them, whose perjury
Hath made you happy, and undone themselves.
Ha. Have you done boy?