Act IVScene I
A room in Mariana’s house
Enter Mariana and a Boy singing.
Song
Take, O take those lips away,That so sweetly were forsworn,And those eyes, the break of day,Lights that do mislead the morn.But my kisses bring again,Bring again;Seals of love, but sealed in vain,Sealed in vain.
Enter Duke as a Friar.
Mariana
Break off thy song, and haste thee quick away;Here comes a man of comfort, whose adviceHath often stilled my brawling discontent.
Exit Boy.
I cry you mercy, sir, and well could wishYou had not found me here so musical.Let me excuse me, and believe me so,My mirth it much displeased, but pleased my woe.
Duke
’Tis good; though music oft hath such a charmTo make bad good and good provoke to harm.
I pray you tell me, hath anybody inquired for me here today? Much upon this time have I promised here to meet.
Mariana
You have not been inquired after. I have sat here all day.
Enter Isabella.
Duke
I do constantly believe you. The time is come even now. I shall crave your forbearance a little. Maybe I will call upon you anon for some advantage to yourself.
Mariana
I am always bound to you.
Exit.
Duke
Very well met, and welcome.What is the news from this good deputy?
Isabella
He hath a garden circummured with brick,Whose western side is with a vineyard backed;And to that vineyard is a planched gateThat makes his opening with this bigger key.This other doth command a little doorWhich from the vineyard to the garden leads;There have I made my promise, upon theHeavy middle of the night to call on him.
Duke
But shall you on your knowledge find this way?
Isabella
I have ta’en a due and wary note upon’t;With whispering and most guilty diligence,In action all of precept, he did show meThe way twice o’er.
Duke
Are there no other tokensBetween you ’greed concerning her observance?
Isabella
No, none, but only a repair i’ th’ dark,And that I have possessed him my most stayCan be but brief, for I have made him knowI have a servant comes with me along,That stays upon me; whose persuasion isI come about my brother.
Duke
’Tis well borne up.I have not yet made known to MarianaA word of this.—What ho, within! Come forth.
Enter Mariana.
I pray you be acquainted with this maid;She comes to do you good.
Isabella
I do desire the like.
Duke
Do you persuade yourself that I respect you?
Mariana
Good friar, I know you do, and have found it.
Duke
Take, then, this your companion by the hand,Who hath a story ready for your ear.I shall attend your leisure; but make haste.The vaporous night approaches.
Mariana
Will’t please you walk aside?
Exeunt Mariana and Isabella.
Duke
O place and greatness, millions of false eyesAre stuck upon thee; volumes of reportRun with these false, and most contrarious questUpon thy doings; thousand escapes of witMake thee the father of their idle dreamAnd rack thee in their fancies.
Enter Mariana and Isabella.
Welcome; how agreed?
Isabella
She’ll take the enterprise upon her, father,If you advise it.
Duke
It is not my consent,But my entreaty too.
Isabella
Little have you to sayWhen you depart from him, but, soft and low,“Remember now my brother.”
Mariana
Fear me not.
Duke
Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all.He is your husband on a pre-contract.To bring you thus together ’tis no sin,Sith that the justice of your title to himDoth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go;Our corn’s to reap, for yet our tithe’s to sow.
Exeunt.