University of Virginia Library

Scæne 2.

Enter Claudia, and Marcellina.
Claudia.
Sirrha, what ayles my Lady, that of late
She never cares for company?

Mar.
I know not,
Vnlesse it be that company causes Cuckolds.

Clau.
That were a childish feare;

Mar.
What were those Ladyes,
Came to her lately,
From the Court?

Clau.
The same wench.
Some grave Instructors on my life, they look
For all the world like old hactht hilts.

Mar.
Tis true wench.
For here and there, and yet they painted well too,
One might discover where the gold was worne
Their Iron ages.

Clau.
If my judgment faile not,
They have been sheathed like rotten ships,

Mar.
It may be.

Clau.
For if ye mark their rudders, they hang weakly.

Mar.
They have past the line belike: wouldst live Clau.
Till thou wert such as they are?

Clau.
Chimney pieces.
Now heaven have mercy on me, and young men,
I had rather make a drallery till thirty,
While I were able to endure a tempest,
And beare my fights out bravely, till my tackle
Whistled i'th wind, and held against all weathers,
While I were able to beare with my tyres
And so discharg 'em, I would willingly
Live Marcellina, not till barnacles
Bred in my sides.

Mar.
Thou art i'th right wench.
For who would live, whom pleasures had forsaken,
To stand at marke, and cry a bow short signeur?
Were there not men came hither too?

Clau.
Brave fellowes.
I feare me Bawdes of five i'th' pound.

Mar.
How know you?

Clau.
They gave me great lights to it.

Mar.
Take heed Claudia.

Clau.
Let them take heed, the spring comes on.

Mar.
To me now,
They seem'd as noble visitants.

Clau.
To me now
Nothing lesse Marcellina, for I marke 'em,
And by this honest light, for yet tis morning,
Saving the reverence of their guilded doublets
And Millan skins.

Mar.
Thou art a strange wench Claudia.

Clau.
Ye are deceived, they shew'd to me directly
Court crabbs that creepe a side way for their living
I know 'em by the breeches that they beg'd last,

Mar.
Peace, my Lady comes; what may that be?

Clau.
A Sumner
Enter Lucina, and Lycias the Eunuch.
That cites her to appeare.

Mar.
No more of that wench.

Eun.
Madam, what answer to your Lord?

Luci.
Pray tell him, I am subject to his will,

Eun.
Why weepe you Madam?
Excellent Lady, there are none will hurt you.

Luci.
I do beseech you tell me Sir.

Eun.
What Lady?

Luci.
Serve ye the Emperor?

Eun.
I do.

Luci.
In what place?

Eun.
In's chamber Madam.

Luci.
Do ye serve his will too?

Eun.
In faire and just commands.

Luci.
Are ye a Romane?

Eun.
Yes noble Lady, and a Mantuan.

Luci.
What office bore your parents?

Eun.
One was Pretor.

Luci.
Take heed then how you staine his reputation,

Eun.
Why worthy Lady?

Luci.
If ye know, I charge ye,
Ought in this Message, but what honesty,
The trust and faire obedience of a servant,
May well deliver, yet take heed, and help me.

Eun.
Madam, I am no Broker;

Claud.
Ile be hangd then.

Eun.
Nor base procurer of mens lusts; Your husband,
Praid me to doe this office, I have done it,
It rests in you to come, or no:

Luc.
I will Sir;

Eun.
If ye mistrust me, doe not,

Luc.
Ye appeare so worthy,
And to all my sence so honest,
And this is such a certain signe ye have brought me,
That I believe.

Eun.
Why should I couzen you?
Or were I brib'd to doe this villany,
Can mony prosper, or the foole that takes it,
When such a vertue falls?

Luc.
Ye speake well Sir;
Would all the rest that serve the Emperour,
Had but your way.

Claud.
And so they have ad unguem:

Luc.
Pray tell my Lord, I have receivd his Token,
And will not faile to meete him; yet good Sir, thus much
Before you goe, I doe beseech ye too,
As little notice as ye can, deliver
Of my appearance there,

Eun.
It shall be Madam,
And so I wish you happinesse.

Luc.
I thank you.—

Exeunt.