Car. Thou speak'st most true, for I have found it so.
Who said thou wast a woman, Echo, lies;
Thou couldst not then answer so much of truth.
Once more, good Echo;
Was my Maria false by her own desire,
Or was't against her will?
Echo. Against her will.
Car. Troth, it may be so; but canst thou tell,
Whether she be dead or not?
Echo. Not.
Car. Not dead!
Echo. Not dead.
Car. Then without question she doth surely live.
But I do trouble thee too much; therefore,
Good speak-truth, farewell.
Echo. Farewell.
Car. How quick it answers! O, that councillors
Would thus resolve men's doubts without a fee!
How many country clients then might rest
Free from undoing! no plodding pleader then
Would purchase great possessions with his tongue.
Were I some demigod, or had that power,
I would straight make this echo here a judge:
He'd spend his judgment in the open court,
As now to me, without being once solicited
In his private chamber; 'tis not bribes could win
Him to o'ersway men's right, nor could he be
Led to damnation for a little pelf;
He would not harbour malice in his heart,
Or envious hatred, base despite, or grudge,
But be an upright, just, and equal judge.
But now imagine that I should confront
Treacherous Albert, who hath rais'd my front!
But I fear this idle prate hath made me
Quite forget my cinque pace.[393]
[He danceth.
Enter Albert.