PHA. By Jupiter's cloven pate, 'tis true. But we witty fellows are so forgetful; but stay, Heu, Heu,[220] carry him this.
The Gordian knot, which Alexander great
Did whilom, cut with his all-conquering sword,
Was nothing like thy busk-point, pretty peat,[221]
Nor could so fair an augury afford.
Then to conclude, let him pervert Catullas's Zonam solvit diu ligatum thus, thus—
Which if I chance to cut, or else untie,
Thy little world I'll conquer presently.
'Tis pretty, pretty, tell him 'twas extemporal.
HEU. Well, sir, but now for Master Inamorato's love-letter.
PHA. Some nettling stuff, i'faith; let him write thus: Most heart-commanding-faced gentlewoman, even as the stone in India, called Basaliscus, hurts all that looks on it, and as the serpent in Arabia, called Smaragdus, delighteth the sight, so does thy celestial orb-assimilating eyes both please, and in pleasing wound my love-darted heart.
HEU. But what trick shall I invent for the conclusion?
PHA. Pish, anything, love will minister ink for the rest. He that [hath] once begun well, hath half done; let him begin again, and there's all.
HEU. Master Gullio spoke for a new fashion; what for him?