Enter Falleria and Sostrata weeping.
Fall. Passe ore these rugged furrowes of laments
And come to plainer pathes of cheerefulnesse;
Cease thy continuall showers of thy woe.
And let my pleasing wordes of comfort chase
These[35] duskie cloudes of thy uniust dispaire
Farre from thy hart, and let a pleasing hope
Of young Pertillos happy safe returne
Establish all your ill-devining thoughts;
So shall you make me cheerfull that am sad,—
And feede your hopes with fond illusions.
Sos. I could be so; but my divided soule,
Twixt feare and hope of young Pertillos life,
Cannot arrive at the desired port
Of firme beleefe, until mine eyes do see
Him that I sent to know the certainetie.
Fal. To know the certaintie! of whom, of what?
Whome, whether, when, or whereabout, I praie,
Have you dispatcht a frustrate messenger?—
By heaven, and earth, my heart misgiveth[36] me,
They will prevent my cunning pollicie. [To the people.
Why speake you not? what winged Pegasus
Is posted for your satisfaction?
Sos. Me thinkes my speach reveales a hidden feare, And that feare telles me that the childe is dead.
Fall. By sweete S. Andrew and my fathers soule, I thinke the peevish boy be too too well But speake, who was your passions harbinger?
Sos. One that did kindle my misdoubting thoughts, With the large flame of his timiddity.
Fall. Oh then I know the tinder of your feare.
Was young Allenso your white[37] honnie sonne.
Confusion light upon his timerous head,
For broching this large streame of fearefulnesse!
And all the plagues that damned furies feele
For their forepassed bold iniquities,
Afflict you both for thus preventing me!
Sos. Preventing you! of what? Fallerio, speake, For if you doe not my poore hart will breake.
Fall. Why of the good that I had purposed, To young Pertillo, which I would conceale From you and him until the deed were done.