University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

ALPHONSO, CLAUDIO, STRENI, and Servants.
STRENI.
[their swords.—
What's this? what's this? Good Heaven!—beat down
Hold, hold, I charge you.—Part them—Are you mad?—
Pray how began this fray? ALPHONSO, CLAUDIO,
You're both my friends, and I am shocked so see
Such hot-brained work between you. How began this?—
Go you and wait without—Pray who began this?
Come, ALPHONSO, tell me,—was it you?

CLAUDIO.
My Lord,
I ne'er began a quarrel.—Let me breathe first—
And then I'll tell you.—

ALPHONSO.
Nay, 'twas I; I own it.—
Who else had reason to complain? 'Twas I,
Provoked by monstrous injuries, who gave
Opprobrious truths a vent. But 'twas not I,
Who like a cut-throat, an insidious coward,
Aimed at my unguarded enemy's heart. I'm sorry
It should have happened here. I did not mean
To scare the peace of this respected house
With angry deeds.

STRENI.
Young blood is hot. ALPHONSO.
When I was young like you my sword would ach
At every slight offence: where none was meant
I've been too madly brave. But when the fit
Was fairly fought out, it never failed to end
In warmest friendship. Trust me we have wept
With generous passion, at the sudden change
From bloody strife to cordial amity.
There is no joy to that which noble foes
At reconcilement feel. Come, come your hands;
Yours ALPHONSO, yours ALPHONSO. Come, embrace:
Be friends for ever.

CLAUDIO.
I have ever been,
And still shall be ALPHONSO's.

ALPHONSO.
As sincerely
Shall I be CLAUDIO's—But you'll meet me?

CLAUDIO.
Yes.

ALPHONSO.
Directly.

CLAUDIO.
Doubt not.

ALPHONSO.
Till then—farewell.—Good night.
My Lord, I must away. If you have ought
To do at Naples, I'm your post; for there
I must be ere I sleep.

STRENI.
Good night, ALPHONSO.
I'm sorry for this haste: next time we meet
I hope to taste your company at more leisure.