Actus Primus. Scæna Prima.
Enter Richardo and Viola.
Rich. Let us make use of this stolen privacy,
And not loose time in protestation, Mistriss,
For 'twere in me a kind of breach of faith,
To say again I love you.
Vio. Sweet, speak softly
For though the venture of your love to me,
Meets with a willing, and a full return:
Should it arrive unto my Fathers knowledge;
This were our last discourse.
Rich. How shall he know it?
Vio. His watching cares are such, for my advancement,
That every where his eye is fix'd upon me:
This night that does afford us some small freedom,
At the request and much intreaty of
The Mistriss of the House, was hardly given me:
For I am never suffer'd to stir out,
But he hath spies upon me: yet I know not
You have so won upon me, that could I think
You would love faithfully (though to entertain
Another thought of you, would be my death)
I should adventure on his utmost anger.
Rich. Why do you think I can be false?
Vio. No faith,
[You [h]ave] an honest face, but if you should—
Rich. Let all the stor'd vengeance of heaven's justice—
Vio. No more, I do believe you, the dance ended,
Which this free womans ghests have vow'd to have
E'r they depart, I will make home, and store me
With all the Jewels, Chains, and Gold are trusted
Unto my custody, and at the next corner,
To my Fathers house, before one at the farthest,
Be ready to receive me.
Rich. I desire
No bond beyond your promise, let's go in,
To talk thus much, before the door, may breed
Suspition.
Enter Mercury and Antonio talking.
Vio. Here are company too.
Rich. Away,
Those powers that prosper true and honest loves
Will bless our undertakings.
Vio. 'Tis my wish, Sir. [Exit Rich. and Vio.
Mer. Nay, Sir, excuse me, I have drawn you to
Too much expence already in my travel:
And you have been too forward in your love;
To make my wants your own, allow me manners
Which you must grant I want, should I increase,
The bond in which your courtesies have ti'd me:
[By] still consuming you, give me leave
To take mine own ways now, and I shall often,
With willingness, come to visit you, and then thank you.
Ant. By this hand I could be angry, what do you think me?
Must we that have so long time been as one
Seen Cities, Countreys, Kingdoms, and their wonders;
Been bedfellows, and in our various journey
Mixt all our observations, part (as if
We were two Carriers at two several ways,
And as the fore-horse guides, cry God be with you)
Without or compliment, or ceremony?
In Travellers, that know transalpine garbs,
Though our designs are nee'r so serious, friend,
It were a capital crime, it must not be:
Nay, what is more, you shall not; you e'r long,
Shall see my house, and find what I call mine
Is wholly at your service.
Mer. 'Tis this tires me,
Sir, I were easily woo'd, if nothing else
But my Will lay in the choice: but 'tis not so,
My friends and kindred that have part of me,
And such on whom my chiefest hopes depend,
Justly expect the tender of my love
After my travel: then mine own honesty
Tells me 'tis poor, having indifferent means
To keep me in my quality and rank,
At my return, to tire anothers bounty,
And let mine own grow lusty, pardon me.
Ant. I will not, cannot, to conclude, I dare not:
Can any thing conferr'd upon my friend
Be burthensome to me? for this excuse
Had I no reason else, you should not leave me,
By a travellers faith you should not, I have said,
And then you know my humor, there's no contending.
Mer. Is there no way to 'scape this Inundation?
I shall be drown'd with folly if I go:
And after nine days, men may take me up,
With my gall broken.
Ant. Are you yet resolv'd?
Mer. Wou'd you would spare me.
Ant. By this light I cannot
By all that may be sworn by.
Mer. Patience help me,
And heaven grant his folly be not catching:
If it be, the Town's undone, I now would give
A reasonable sum of gold to any Sheriff,
That would but lay an execution on me,
And free me from his company; while he was abroad,
His want of wit and language kept him dumb?
But Balaam's Asse will speak now, without spurring.
Ant. Speak, have I won you?—
Enter Servant and Musician.
Mer. You are not to be resisted.
Ser. Be ready I intreat you, the dance done,
Besides a liberal reward I have,
A bottle of Sherry in my power shall beget
New crotchets in your heads.
Musi. Tush, fear not us, we'll do our parts.
Serv. Go in.
Ant. I know this fellow.
Belong you to the house?
Serv. I serve the Mistriss.
Ant. Pretty, and short, pray you Sir then inform her,
Two Gentlemen are covetous to be honor'd,
With her fair presence.
Serv. She shall know so much,
This is a merry night with us, and forbid not
Welcome to any that looks like a man:
I'll guide you the way.
Ant. Nay, follow, I have a trick in't. [Exit.
Enter Uberto, Silvio, Richardo, Maria, Pedro, Portia, Viola, with others.
Uber. Come, where's this Masque? fairest, for our chear,
Our thanks and service, may you long survive,
To joy in many of these nights.
Mar. I thank you.
Uber. We must have Musick too, or else you give us,
But half a welcome.
Mar. Pray you Sir, excuse me.
Silv. By no means, Lady.
Uber. We'll crown our liberal feast,
With some delightful strain fitting your love:
And this good company.
Mar. Since you enforce it,
I will not plead the excuse of want of skill
Or be, or nice, or curious, every year
I celebrate my marriage night; and will
Till I see my absent Husband.
Uber. 'Tis fit freedom.
Silv. Richardo thou art dull—