CLEM. Ay, Lorenzo, but election is now governed altogether by the influence of humour, which, instead of those holy flames that should direct and light the soul to eternity, hurls forth nothing but smoke and congested vapours, that stifle her up, and bereave her of all sight and motion. But she must have a store of hellebore given her to purge these gross obstructions: oh, that's well said, give me thy torch, come, lay this stuff together. So, give fire! there, see, see, how our poet's glory shines brighter and brighter, still, still it increaseth, oh, now it's at the highest, and now it declines as fast: you may see, gallants, "sic transit gloria mundi". Well now, my two signior outsides, stand forth, and lend me your large ears, to a sentence, to a sentence: first, you, Signior, shall this night to the cage, and so shall you, sir, from thence to-morrow morning, you, Signior, shall be carried to the market cross, and be there bound: and so shall you, sir, in a large motley coat, with a rod at your girdle; and you in an old suit of sackcloth, and the ashes of your papers (save the ashes, sirrah) shall mourn all day, and at night both together sing some ballad of repentance very piteously, which you shall make to the tune of "Who list to lead and a soldier's life". Sirrah bill-man, embrace you this torch, and light the gentlemen to their lodgings, and because we tender their safety, you shall watch them to-night, you are provided for the purpose, away, and look to your charge with an open eye, sirrah.
BOB. Well, I am arm'd in soul against the worst of fortune.
MAT. Faith, so should I be, an I had slept on it.
PET. I am arm'd too, but I am not like to sleep on it.
MUS. Oh, how this pleaseth me.
[EXEUNT.
CLEM. Now, Signior Thorello, Giuliano, Prospero, Biancha.
STEP. And not me, sir.
CLEM. Yes, and you, sir: I had lost a sheep an he had not bleated, I must have you all friends: but first a word with you, young gallant, and you, lady.
GIU. Well, brother Prospero, by this good light that shines here, I am loth to kindle fresh coals, but an you had come in my walk within these two hours I had given you that you should not have clawed off again in haste, by Jesus, I had done it, I am the arrant'st rogue that ever breathed else, but now beshrew my heart if I bear you any malice in the earth.
PROS. Faith, I did it but to hold up a jest, and help my sister to a husband, but, brother Thorello, and sister, you have a spice of the jealous yet, both of you, (in your hose, I mean,) come, do not dwell upon your anger so much, let's all be smooth foreheaded once again.
THOR. He plays upon my forehead, brother Giuliano, I pray you tell me one thing I shall ask you: is my forehead any thing rougher than it was wont to be?
GIU. Rougher? your forehead is smooth enough, man.
THO. Why should he then say, be smooth foreheaded, Unless he jested at the smoothness of it?
And that may be, for horn is very sooth;So are my brows, by Jesu, smooth as horn!
BIA. Brother, had he no haunt thither, in good faith?
PROS. No, upon my soul.
BIA. Nay, then, sweet-heart: nay, I pray thee, be not angry, god faith, I'll never suspect thee any more, nay, kiss me, sweet muss.
THO. Tell me, Biancha, do not you play the woman with me.
BIA. What's that, sweet-heart?
THO. Dissemble.
BIA. Dissemble?
THO. Nay, do not turn away: but say i'faith was it not a match appointed 'twixt this old gentleman and you?
BIA. A match?
THO. Nay, if it were not, I do not care: do not weep, I pray thee, sweet Biancha, nay, so now! by Jesus, I am not jealous, but resolved I have the faithful'st wife in Italy.
"For this I find, where jealousy is fed, Horns in the mind are worse than on the head.
See what a drove of horns fly in the air, Wing'd with my cleansed and my credulous breath:
Watch them, suspicious eyes, watch where they fall, See, see, on heads that think they have none at all.
Oh, what a plenteous world of this will come, When air rains horns, all men be sure of some:
CLEM. Why that's well, come then: what say you, are all agreed? doth none stand out?
PROS. None but this gentleman: to whom in my own person I owe all duty and affection; but most seriously intreat pardon, for whatsoever hath past in these occurrants that might be contrary to his most desired content.
LOR. SE. Faith sir, it is a virtue that pursues Any save rude and uncomposed spirits, To make a fair construction, and indeed Not to stand off, when such respective means Invite a general content in all.
CLEM. Well, then I conjure you all here to put off all discontentment, first, you Signior Lorenze, your cares; you, and you, your jealousy; you, our anger, and you, your wit, sir; and for a peace-offering, here's one willing to be sacrificed upon this altar: say, do you approve my motion?
PROS. We do, I'll be mouth for all.
CLEM. Why, then I wish them all joy, and now, to make our evening happiness more full: this night you shall be all my guests: where we'll enjoy the very spirit of mirth, and carouse to the health of this heroic spirit, whom to honour the more I do invest in my own robes, desiring you two, Giuliano and Prospero, to be his supporters, the train to follow, myself will lead, ushered by my page here with this honourable verse --"Claudite jam rivos pueri sat prata biberunt".
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