SONG.
Take, O! take those lips away5 note
,
That so sweetly were forsworn;
And those eyes, the break of day,
Lights that do mislead the morn:
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
-- 68 --
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 woe.
Duke.
'Tis good: though music 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 constantly 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 brick,
Whose western side is with a vineyard back'd;
And to that vineyard is a planched gate6 note,
That makes his opening with this bigger key:
This other doth command a little door,
Which from the vineyard to the garden leads;
There have I made my promise upon the heavy
Middle of the night to call upon him7 note
.
-- 69 --
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 precept, 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 him my most stay
Can be but brief: for I have made him know,
I have a servant comes with me along,
That stays upon me; 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.
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 greatness! millions of false eyes
Are stuck upon thee. Volumes of report
Run with these false and most contrarious quests8 note
Upon thy doings: 11Q0118 thousand escapes of wit
-- 70 --
Make thee the father of their idle dream,
And rack thee in their fancies!
Re-enter Mariana and Isabella.
Welcome! How agreed?
Isab.
She'll take the enterprize upon her, father,
If you advise it.
Duke.
It is not my consent,
But my entreaty too.
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-contract:
To bring you thus together, 'tis no sin,
Sith that the justice of your title to him
Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go:
Our corn's to reap, for yet our tithe's to sow9 note.
[Exeunt.
J. Payne Collier [1842–1844], The works of William Shakespeare. The text formed from an entirely new collation of the old editions: with the various readings, notes, a life of the poet, and a history of the Early English stage. By J. Payne Collier, Esq. F.S.A. In eight volumes (Whittaker & Co. [etc.], London) [word count] [S10101].
