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42
SCENE II.
Enter SOPHIA and CORISCA.SOPHIA.
Do not again delude me with an idle tale.
CORISCA.
If I do, Madam, banish me to poor Hillario.
I stood as you commanded in the turret,
Observing all that passed by; and even now
I did discern a pair of cavaliers
With their guide dismounting; they said something
To our hungry centinel, that made him caper,
And frisk i' th' air for joy:—and to confirm all this,
See, Madam, they're in view.
Enter UBALDO, RICARDO, and HILLARIO.
HILLARIO.
Down on your knees with me; tidings of joy!
News from my Lord!—These are no counterfeits!—
Set out the cold chine, and ven'son pasties!
[Speaking within.
They are true knights indeed!—The cold chine I say,
And a bottle of canary!—Dear Madam, sign
My pardon, that I may once more feed again,
And pick up my crumbs, for indeed I've had
A long fast of it.
SOPHIA.
Thou may'st eat; I forgive thee!
HILLARIO.
O words most comfortable!
“Eat, I forgive thee!”
And if in this I do not soon obey you,
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I' th' highway—Butler and cook make ready,
For I shall enter like a tyrant, laying
All waste before me!
[Exit Hillario.
UBALDO.
I have been struck dumb
This half hour! Madam, since my faithful eyes
Were never happy in so sweet an object,
I presume, without enquiry, that you are
The fairer Lady of this fair castle,
And so salute you.
[Kisses her.
RICARDO.
Faith he has got the first bite at the cherry.
[Aside.
This letter, with these jewels from your Lord,
Warrant my boldness, Madam.
[Salutes her.
SOPHIA.
Heav'n in thy mercy make me
Thy thankful handmaid, for this bounteous blessing.
UBALDO.
I do not like
This simple devotion in her; it is seldom
Practis'd among our mistresses at court.
RICARDO.
Nor would they kneel, to I know not who, for the possession
Of such inestimable wealth, before
They thank'd the bringers of it? The poor Lady
Wants instruction, 'tis plain; I'll be her tutor,
And soon read her another lesson.
SOPHIA.
If I have
Shewn want of manners, gentlemen, in my slowness
To pay the thanks I owe your travel,
To do my Lord and me this noble favor,
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Of joy that overwhelm'd me.
RICARDO.
She speaks it well.
UBALDO.
Polite, and courtly.
SOPHIA.
And howe'er it may
Increase th' offence, to trouble you with more
Demands touching my Lord, before I have
Invited you to taste, such as the plainness
Of my poor house can offer,—
Let me entreat, to learn from you something
In his letters he may have left unmention'd.
RICARDO.
I can only
Give you assurance that he is in health,
Grac'd by the King and Queen.
UBALDO.
And in the court
With admiration look'd on.
RICARDO.
You must therefore
Put off these homely garments, and appear
Like to yourself.
UBALDO.
And entertain all pleasures
Your fortune marks out for you.
RICARDO.
There are other
Droll particulars, which on occasion
I will deliver to you.
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You oblige me,
To your service ever.
RICARDO.
Good! your service, mark that!
[To Ubaldo.
SOPHIA.
In the mean time, by your acceptance, make
My rustic entertainment relish of
The pleasures of the court.
UBALDO.
Your looks, sweet Madam,
Cannot but make each dish a feast.
SOPHIA.
It shall be
Such, in the freedom of my will to please you:
I'll shew the way; this is too great an honor
For me, so mean an hostess.
[Exeunt, Ricardo leading her out.
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