BAL. No; she is wilder, and more hard withal,
Then beast or bird, or tree or stony wall!
But wherefore blot I Bel-imperia's name?
It is my fault, not she that merits blame.
My feature is not to content her sight;
My words are rude and work her no delight;
The lines I send her are but harsh and ill,
Such as do drop from Pan and Marsya's quill;
My presents are not of sufficient cost;
And, being worthless, all my labours lost.
Yet might she love me for my valiancy.
Aye; but that's slander'd by captivity.
Yet might she love me to content her sire.
Aye; but her reason masters her desire.
Yet might she love me as her brother's friend.
Aye; but her hopes aim at some other end.
Yet might she love me to uprear her state.
Aye; but perhaps she loves some nobler mate.
Yet might she love me as her beauty's thrall.
Aye; but I fear she cannot love at all.
LOR. My lord, for my sake leave these ecstasies,
And doubt not but we'll find some remedy.
Some cause there is that lets you not be lov'd:
First that must needs be known, and then remov'd.
What if my sister love some other knight?
BAL. My summer's day will turn to winter's night.
LOR. I have already found a stratagem
To sound the bottom of this doubtful theme.
My lord, for once you shall be rul'd by me;
Hinder me not what ere you hear or see:
By force or fair means will I cast about
To find the truth of all this question out.
Ho, Pedringano!
PED. Signior.
LOR. Vien qui presto!
Enter PEDRINGANO.
PED. Hath your lordship any service to command me?
LOR. Aye, Pedringano, service of import.
And, not to spend the time in trifling words,
Thus stands the case: it is not long, thou know'st,
Since I did shield thee from my father's wrath
For thy convenience in Andrea's love,
For which thou wert adjudg'd to punishment;
I stood betwixt thee and thy punishment,
And since thou knowest how I have favour'd thee.
Now to these favours will I add reward,
Not with fair words, but store of golden coin
And lands and living join'd with dignities,
If thou but satisfy my just demand;
Tell truth and have me for thy lasting friend.
PED. Whate'er it be your lordship shall demand,
My bounden duty bids me tell the truth,
If case it lie in me to tell the truth.