SCENE XI.
Enter Lucio.
Lucio.
Good even;
Friar, where's the Provost?
Duke.
Not within, Sir.
Lucio.
Oh pretty Isabella, I am pale at mine heart to see thine
eyes so red; thou must be patient; I am fain to dine and sup
with water and bran; I dare not for my head fill my belly: one
fruitful meal would set me to't. But they say the Duke will be
here to-morrow. By my troth, Isabel, I lov'd thy brother: if
the old fantastical Duke of dark corners had been at home, he
had lived.
Duke.
Sir, the Duke is marvellous little beholden to your
reports; but the best is, he lives not in them.
Lucio.
Friar, thou knowest not the Duke so well as I do;
he's a better woodman than thou tak'st him for.
Duke.
Well; you'll answer this one day. Fare ye well.
Lucio.
Nay tarry, I'll go along with thee: I can tell thee
pretty tales of the Duke.
Duke.
You have told me too many of him already, Sir, if
they be true; if not, none were enough.
Lucio.
I was once before him for getting a wench with child.
Duke.
Did you such a thing?
Lucio.
Yes marry did I; but I was fain to forswear it; they
would else have marry'd me to the rotten medlar.
-- 392 --
Duke.
Sir, your company is fairer than honest: rest you well.
Lucio.
By my troth, I'll go with thee to the lane's end: if
bawdy talk offend you, we'll have very little of it; nay, Friar,
I am a kind of bur, I shall stick.
[Exeunt.
George Sewell [1723–5], The works of Shakespear in six [seven] volumes. Collated and Corrected by the former Editions, By Mr. Pope ([Vol. 7] Printed by J. Darby, for A. Bettesworth [and] F. Fayram [etc.], London) [word count] [S11101].