Scoena Secunda.
Enter Iulia and Lucetta.
Iul.
But say Lucetta (now we are alone)
Would'st thou then counsaile me to fall in loue?
Luc.
I Madam, so you stumble not on heedfully.
Iul.
Of all the faire rest•• of Gentlemen,
That euery day with par'd•• encounter me,
In thy opinion which is worthiest loue?
Lu.
Please you repeat their names, ile shew my minde,
According to my shallow simple skill.
Iu.
What thinkst thou of the faire sir Eglamoure?
Lu.
As of a Knight, well-spoken, neat, and fine;
But were I you, he neuer should be mine.
Iu.
What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio?
Lu.
Well of his wealth; but of himselfe, so, so.
Iu.
What think'st thou of the gentle Protheus?
Lu.
Lord, Lord: to see what folly raignes in vs.
Iu.
How now? what meanes this passion at his name?
Lu.
Pardon deare Madam, 'tis a passing shame,
That I (vnworthy body as I am)
Should censure thus on louely Gentlemen.
Iu.
Why not on Protheus, as of all the rest?
Lu.
Then thus: of many good, I thinke him best.
Lu.
I haue no other but a womans reason:
I thinke him so, because I thinke him so.
Iul.
And would'st thou haue me cast my loue on him?
Lu.
I: if you thought your loue not cast away.
Iul.
Why he, of all the rest, hath neuer mou'd me.
Lu.
Yet he, of all the rest, I thinke best loues ye.
Iul.
His little speaking, shewes his loue but small.
Lu.
Fire that's closest kept, burnes most of all.
Iul.
They doe not loue, that doe not shew their loue.
Lu.
Oh, they loue least, that let men know their loue.
Iul.
I would I knew his minde.
Lu.
Peruse this paper Madam.
Iul.
To Iulia: say, from whom?
Lu.
That the Contents will shew.
Iul.
Say, say: who gaue it thee?
Lu.
Sir Valentines page: & sent I think from Protheus;
He would haue giuen it you, but I being in the way,
Did in your name receiue it: pardon the fault I pray.
Iul.
Now (by my modesty) a goodly Broker:
Dare you presume to harbour wanton lines?
To whisper, and conspire against my youth?
Now trust me, 'tis an office of great worth,
And you an officer fit for the place:
There: take the paper: see it be return'd,
Or else returne no more into my sight.
Lu.
To plead for loue, deserues more fee, then hate.
Lu.
That you may ruminate.
Exit.
Iul.
And yet I would I had ore-look'd the Letter;
It were a shame to call her backe againe,
And pray her to a fault, for which I chid her.
What 'foole is she, that knowe•• I am a Maid.
And would not force the letter to my view?
Since Maides, in modesty, say no, to that,
Which they would haue the profferer construe, I.
Fie, fie: how way-ward is this foolish loue;
That (like a testie Babe) will scratch the Nurse,
And presently, all humbled kisse the Rod?
How churlishly, I chid Lucetta hence,
When willingly, I would haue had her here?
How angerly I taught my brow to frowne,
When inward ioy enforc'd my heart to smile?
My pennance is, to call Lucetta backe
And aske remission, for my folly past.
What hoe: Lucetta.
Lu.
What would your Ladiship?
Iul.
Is't neere dinner time?
Lu.
I would it were,
That you might kill your stomacke on your meat,