Herbert. Sooth, at once?
Anne.
At once, at once.
[To The Player.] I crave your pardon, sir,
For sundering your friendships. I've heard say
A woman always comes between two men
To their confusion. You shall drink amends
Some other day. I must be safely home.
The Player [reassured by Herbert's reluctance to go.]
It joys me that your trials have found an end;
And for the rest, I wish you prosperous voyage;
Which needs not, with such halcyon weather toward.
Herbert [apart].
It cuts: and yet he knows not. Can it pass?
[To him.] Let us meet soon. I have—I know not what
To say—nay, no import; but chance has parted
Our several ways too long. To leave you thus,
Without a word—
Anne. You are in haste, my lord!
By the true faith, here are two friends indeed!
Two lovers crossed: and I,—'tis I that bar them.
Pray tarry, sir. I doubt not I may light
Upon some link-boy to attend me home
Or else a drunken prentice with a club,
Or that patched keeper strolling from the Garden
With all his dogs along; or failing them,
A pony with a monkey on his back,
Or, failing that, a bear! Some escort, sure,
Such as the Borough offers! I shall look
Part of a pageant from the Lady Fair,
And boast for three full moons, "Such sights I saw!"
Truly, 'tis new to me: but I doubt not
I shall trick out a mind for strange adventure,
As high as—Mistress Fytton!
Herbert. Say no more,
Dear lady! I entreat you pardon me
The lameness of my wit. I'm stark adream;
You lighted here so suddenly, unlooked for
Vision in Bankside.... Let me hasten you,
Now that I see I dream not. It grows late.
Anne.
And can you grant me such a length of time?
Herbert.
Length? Say Illusion! Time? Alas, 'twill be
Only a poor half-hour [loudly], a poor half-hour!
[Apart.] Did she hear that, I wonder?
The Player [bowing over Anne's hand]. Not so, madam;
A little gold of largess, fallen to me
By chance.
Herbert [to him].
A word with you—
[Apart.] O, I am gagged!