Clar. Nay, sweet, receive it [gives a letter to Thais[174]], and in it my heart:
And when thou read’st a moving syllable,
Think that my soul was secretary to ’t.
It is your love, and not the odious wish
Of my revenge in styling him a cuckold,
Makes me presume thus far. Then read it, fair, 420
My passion’s ample, as your[175] beauties are.
Tha.[176] Well, sir, we will not stick with you.
Gui. And, gentlemen, since it hath hapt so fortunately,
I do entreat we may all meet to-morrow
In some heroic masque, to grace the nuptials
Of the most noble Count of Cyprus.[177]
Men. Who does the young count marry?
Gui. O, sir,
Who but the very heir of all her sex,
That bears the palm of beauty from ’em all?
Others, compared to her, show like faint stars 430
To the full moon of wonder in her face:—
The Lady Isabella, the late widow
To the deceased and noble Viscount Hermus.
Men. Law you there, widow, there’s one of the last edition,
Whose husband yet retains in his cold trunk
Some little airing of his noble guest;[178]
Yet she a fresh bride as the month of May.
Lady Len. Well, my lord, I am none of these
That have my second husband bespoke;
My door shall be a testimony of it; 440
And but these noble marriages incite me,
My much abstracted presence should have show’d it.
If you come to me, hark in your ear, my lord,
Look your ladder of ropes be strong,
For I shall tie you to your tackling.
Gui. Gentlemen, your answer to the masque.
Omnes. Your honour leads: we’ll follow.
Rog. Signior Claridiana.