Mariana discovered sitting; a Boy singing.
SONG.
Take, oh take those lips away7 note
,
That so sweetly were forsworn;
And those eyes, the break of day,
Lights that do mislead the morn:
-- 139 --
But my kisses bring again,
bring again,
Seals of love, but seal'd in vain,
seal'd in vain.
Mari.
Break off thy song, and haste thee quick away;
Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice
Hath often still'd my brawling discontent.—
[Exit Boy.
Enter Duke.
I cry you mercy, sir; and well could wish
You had not found me here so musical:
Let me excuse me, and believe me so,—
My mirth it much displeas'd, but pleas'd my woe8 note.
-- 140 --
Duke.
'Tis good: though musick oft hath such a charm,
To make bad, good, and good provoke to harm.
I pray you, tell me, hath any body inquired for me
here to-day? much upon this time have I promis'd
here to meet.
Mari.
You have not been inquired after: I have
sat here all day.
Enter Isabella.
Duke.
I do constantly9 note
believe you:—The time
is come, even now. I shall crave your forbearance
a little; may be, I will call upon you anon, for some
advantage to yourself.
Mari.
I am always bound to you.
[Exit.
Duke.
Very well met, and welcome.
What is the news from this good deputy?
Isab.
He hath a garden circummur'd with brick1 note,
Whose western side is with a vineyard back'd;
And to that vineyard is a planched gate2 note
,
That makes his opening with this bigger key:
This other doth command a little door,
-- 141 --
Which from the vineyard to the garden leads;
There have I made my promise to call on him,
Upon the heavy middle of the night3 note
.
Duke.
But shall you on your knowledge find this way?
Isab.
I have ta'en a due and wary note upon't;
With whispering and most guilty diligence,
In action all of precept4 note
, he did show me
The way twice o'er.
Duke.
Are there no other tokens
Between you 'greed, concerning her observance?
Isab.
No, none, but only a repair i' the dark;
And that I have possess'd him5 note
, my most stay
Can be but brief: for I have made him know,
I have a servant comes with me along,
That stays upon me6 note
; whose persuasion is,
I come about my brother.
Duke.
'Tis well borne up.
I have not yet made known to Mariana
A word of this:—What, ho! within! come forth!
-- 142 --
Re-enter Mariana.
I pray you, be acquainted with this maid;
She comes to do you good.
Isab.
I do desire the like.
Duke.
Do you persuade yourself that I respect you?
Mari.
Good friar, I know you do; and have found it.
Duke.
Take then this your companion by the hand,
Who hath a story ready for your ear:
I shall attend your leisure; but make haste;
The vaporous night approaches.
Mari.
Will't please you walk aside?
[Exeunt Mariana and Isabella.
Duke.
O place and greatness7 note
, millions of false eyes8 note
-- 143 --
Are stuck upon thee! volumes of report
Run with these false and most contrarious quests9 note
Upon thy doings! thousand 'scapes of wit1 note
Make thee the father of their idle dream,
And rack thee in their fancies2 note
!—Welcome! How agreed?
Re-enter Mariana and Isabella.
Isab.
She'll take the enterprize upon her, father,
If you advise it.
Duke.
It is not my consent,
But my intreaty too.
-- 144 --
Isab.
Little have you to say,
When you depart from him, but, soft and low,
Remember now my brother.
Mari.
Fear me not.
Duke.
Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all:
He is your husband on a pre-contráct:
To bring you thus together, 'tis no sin;
Sith that the justice of your title to him
Doth flourish the deceit3 note
. Come, let us go;
Our corn's to reap, for yet our tithe's to sow4 note
.
[Exeunt.
-- 145 --
James Boswell [1821], The plays and poems of William Shakspeare, with the corrections and illustrations of various commentators: comprehending A Life of the Poet, and an enlarged history of the stage, by the late Edmond Malone. With a new glossarial index (J. Deighton and Sons, Cambridge) [word count] [S10201].
