Count.
Alas! and would you take the letter of her?
Might you not know she would do as she has done,
By sending me a letter? Read it again.

Stew. [reads ^note]
I am Saint ^note Jaques' pilgrim, thither gone:
  Ambitious love hath so in me offended,
That barefoot plod I the cold ground upon,
  With sainted vow my faults to have ^note amended.
Write, write, that from the bloody course of war
  My dearest master, your dear son, may hie:
Bless ^note him at home in peace, whilst ^note I from far
  His name with zealous fervour sanctify:
His taken ^note labours bid him me forgive;
  I, his despiteful Juno, sent him forth
From courtly friends with camping foes to live,
  Where death and danger dogs ^note the heels of worth:
He is too good and fair for death and me;
Whom I myself embrace to set him free.

Count. ^note
Ah, what sharp stings are in her mildest words!
Rinaldo ^note, you did never lack ^note advice so much,
As letting her pass so: had I spoke with her,
I could have well diverted her intents,
Which thus she hath prevented.

Stew.
Pardon me ^note, madam:
If I had given you this at over-night,
She might have been o'erta'en; and yet she writes,
Pursuit would be but vain.

Count.
What angel shall

Bless this unworthy husband? he cannot ^note thrive,
Unless her prayers, whom ^note heaven delights to hear
And loves to grant, reprieve him from the wrath
Of greatest justice. Write, write ^note, Rinaldo,
To this unworthy husband of his wife;
Let every word weigh heavy of her worth
That he does weigh too light: my greatest grief,
Though little he do ^note feel it, set down sharply.
Dispatch the most convenient messenger:
When haply he shall hear that she is gone,
He will return; and hope I may that she,
Hearing so much, will speed her foot again,
Led hither by pure love: which of them both
Is dearest to me, I have ^note no skill in sense ^note
To make distinction: provide this messenger:
My heart is heavy and mine age is weak;
Grief would have tears, and ^note sorrow bids me speak. [Exeunt. ^note

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