University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

—A ROOM IN THE PALACE OF COMMENES.
Enter Claudio and Louisa,
Claudio.
We owe much thanks to our friend Cimaro,
For honouring thus our nuptials.

Louisa.
Think you so?
If so, his mind is chang'd tow'rd you and me.

Claudio.
I think as lord Alphonso spoke of him,
That, finding he must never hope your hand,
With a true generous spirit, and to serve you
In aiding me, he came unto my trial.
If I am skill'd in him—he's of that nature
To gain an end he'd put forth all his means;
Yet the end lost he envies not the winner.
His pleasure is in the pursuit not gain.
There are some men whose happiness is action—
To whom repose is torture—who hold nought
Indifferent to them;—such a man is Raffaelle.

Louisa.
I'm grieved your friend Lorenzo lingers yet
In pain and sickness; but the wound's not mortal.

Claudio.
No, thanks to heaven, their malice there has failed;
We'll to Cimaro's, love; I would not spurn
His noble friendship; yet I would not go:
I am to-day too full of quilet joys
To love a boisterous tumult; methinks joy
Dwells but in peace,—and such sweet solitude
As the first pair in loveliest Eden knew;
Such friends have yet a claim on our affections,
Which 'twere a dotage to despise.

Enter a Servant.
Servant.
My lord,
Some gentlemen are waiting to conduct you
To lord Cimaro's.

Claudio.
We'll attend them straight:
Come, my Louisa.—

(Exeunt.)