Flu. He’s but new set out: Castruchio, Pioratto and Sinezi come along with him; you have time enough yet to prevent[213] them, if you have but courage.
Ans. Ye shall steal secretly into the chapel,
And presently be married. If the duke
Abide here still, spite of ten thousand eyes,
You shall ’scape hence like friars.
Hip. O blest disguise! O happy man!
Ans. Talk not of happiness till your closed hand
Have her by th’ forehead, like the lock of Time:
Be nor too slow, nor hasty, now you climb
Up to the tower of bliss; only be wary
And patient, that’s all: If you like my plot,
Build and despatch; if not, farewell, then not.
Hip. O yes, we do applaud it! we’ll dispute
No longer, but will hence and execute.
Fluello, you’ll stay here: let us be gone;
The ground that frighted lovers tread upon
Is stuck with thorns.
Ans. Come, then, away, ’tis meet,
To escape those thorns, to put on wingèd feet. [Exeunt Anselmo, Hippolito and Infelice.
Mat. No words, I pray, Fluello, for’t stands us upon.
Flu. Oh, sir, let that be your lesson! [Exit Matheo.
Alas, poor lovers! On what hopes and fears
Men toss themselves for women! When she’s got,
The best has in her that which pleaseth not.
Enter the Duke, Castruchio, Pioratto, and Sinezi from different doors, muffled.
Duke. Who’s there?