Enter Lucida, with her willow garland on, and Katherine.
Luc. They are gone to dress themselves. Master Nevill's come.
I would I had not vow'd to live a maid!
I am a little taken with that gentleman,
And yet if marriage be so full of ill,
Let me be married to my garland still.
Kath. In troth, thy state is happier much than ours.
Were never two like us unfortunate!
Luc. Thy case indeed I needs must pity much,
Because I think thy virtue slandered;
But for my lady sister, if she reap
Sad discontent, 'tis none's but her own fault:
I knew the passages 'twixt her and Scudmore.
Bel. Sister, I wonder you will name a man,
I think not on: he was no match for me.
Why d'ye blame me, that should rather blame
Your wandering eye, to love a man lov'd me?
Luc. Well, 'tis too late now to expostulate.
But, my poor little Kate, where is thy man?
Kath. Lost, lost, in troth: to-morrow I shall hear,
I make account, he's gone some five-years' voyage,
Till this disgrace of ours be overblown;
And for my Captain Pouts, by this time he
Is ten mile on the river toward Gravesend.
Enter Sir John Worldly with Servants, with torches and cudgels.
Sir J. Wor. Stand you two there. Sirrah, go you with me.
Why, how now, girls! here still? what, and your ladyship?
Away! away, I say: go take your places.
Some torches for my lady! You sirrah,
[Exeunt Bellafront, Lucida, Kate.
Is my Lady Ninny awake yet?[61]