If words, nor tears, nor looks may win remorse,
What then remains? for my perplexed heart
Hath no interpreters but words, or tears, or looks.
Perseda.
And they are all as false as thou thyself. [Exit.
Erastus.
Hard doom of death, before my case be known;
My judge unjust, and yet I cannot blame her,
Since love and jealousy misled her thus,
Myself in fault, and yet not worthy blame,
Because that fortune made the fault, not love.
The ground of her unkindness grows, because
I lost the precious carcanet she gave me:[403]
Lucina hath it, as her words import;
But how she got it, heav'n knows, not I.
Yet this is some allevement to my sorrow:
That if I can but get the chain again,
I boldly then shall let Perseda know
That she hath wrong'd Erastus and her friend.
Ah, love! and if thou be'st of heav'nly power,
Inspire me with some present stratagem:
It must be so; Lucina's a frank gamester,
And like it is in play she'll hazard it;
For if report but blazon her aright,
She's a frank gamester, and inclin'd to play.
Ho! Piston!
Enter Piston.
Piston.
Here, sir, what would you with me?
Erastus.
Desire Guelpio and Signior Julio come speak with me,
And bid them bring some store of crowns with them;
And, sirrah, provide me four vizards,
Four gowns, a box, and a drum;
For I intend to go in mummery.