Car. Hence, thou untutor'd slave!
[Exit Servant.
But couldst thou, Albert, come so near my door,
And not vouchsafe the comfort of thy presence?
Hath my good fortune caus'd thee to repine?
And, seeing my state so full replete with good,
Canst thou withdraw thy love to lessen it?
What could so move thee? was't because I married?
Didst thou imagine I infring'd my faith,
For that a woman did participate
In equal share with thee? cannot my friendship
Be firm to thee because 'tis dear to her?
Yet no more dear to her than firm to thee.
Believe me, Albert, thou dost little think
How much thy absence gives cause of discontent.
But I'll impute it only to neglect:
It is neglect indeed when friends neglect
The sight of friends, and say 'tis troublesome:
Only ask how they do, and so farewell,
Showing an outward kind of seeming duty,
Which in the rules of manhood is observ'd,
And think full well they have perform'd their task,
When of their friend's health they do only ask;
Not caring how they are, or how distress'd—
It is enough they have their loves express'd
In bare inquiry; and, in these times, too,
Friendship's so cold, that few so much will do.
And am not I beholden then to Albert?
He, after knowledge of our being well,
Said he was truly glad on't: O rare friend!
If he be unkind, how many more may mend?
But whither am I carried by unkindness?
Why should not I as well set light by friendship,
Since I have seen a man, whom I late thought
Had been compos'd of nothing but of faith,
Prove so regardless of his friend's content?
Enter Maria.
Maria. Come, Carracus, I have sought you all about:
Your servant told me you were much disquieted
Prythee, love, be not so; come, [come,] walk in;
I'll charm thee with my lute from forth disturbance.
Car. I am not angry, sweet; though, if I were,
Thy bright aspect would soon allay my rage.
But, my Maria, it doth something move me
That our friend Albert so forgets himself.
Maria. It may be, 'tis nothing else; and there's no doubt
He'll soon remember his accustom'd friendship.
He thinks as yet, peradventure, that his presence
Will but offend, for that our marriage rites
Are but so newly pass'd.
Car. I will surmise so too, and only think
Some serious business hinders Albert's presence.
But what ring's that, Maria, on your finger?
Maria. 'Tis one you lost, love, when I did bestow
A jewel of far greater worth on you.
Car. At what time, fairest?
Maria. As if you knew not! why d'ye make't so strange?