Duke. Thou hast no sister; 'tis I [that] possess that
Blessing; Artabella is my sister.
How blest a sound is sister to my ears!
I'll give command no other word but sister
Shall be spoke throughout my dukedom; I'll have it
Taught to infants; so that when nature lends
Their sucking tongues a means to speak one word,
They shall all babble sister, 'stead of nurse.
I'll have the name engrav'd in gold [up]on
Every post and pillar in the streets, and passers-
By shall worship it.
Arb. I am amazed.
Enter Philidor and Mirida.
Duke. Welcome, Philidor.
Phil. I am glad
To see joy in your looks again, sir;
The time is long since I have seen you smile.
Duke. Philidor, all that is joy I have within
This breast; it overflows
And runs into my eyes. This is my sister!
(O, what a word is sister!) and this my dear
And true Amphelia.
Come, Mirida shall be thine to-day too. [To Philidor.
Mir. Hold, sir, I forbid that banns.
Phil. Troth, so do I too; you always
Take the words out of my mouth.
You and I marry, quotha!
Mir. No, faith, we'll be hang'd first. I'd
Rather hear a long sermon, than
Hear a parson ask me: Mirida,
Will you have this man for your
Wedded husband, to have and to hold,
From this day forward, and so forth.
Phil. Right, for better for worse, in
Sickness or in health.