| [Enter MARIANA and a Boy] | |
| [Boy sings] | |
| 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. |
|
| MARIANA | Break off thy song, and haste thee quick away: Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice Hath often still'd my brawling discontent. |
| [Exit Boy] | |
| [Enter DUKE VINCENTIO disguised as before] | |
| I cry you mercy, sir; and well could wish You 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 VINCENTIO | 'Tis good; though music oft hath such a charm To make bad good, and good provoke to harm. I pray, you, tell me, hath any body inquired for me here to-day? 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 VINCENTIO | I do constantly believe you. The time is come even now. I shall crave your forbearance a little: may be I will call upon you anon, for some advantage to yourself. |
| MARIANA | I am always bound to you. |
| [Exit] | |
| DUKE VINCENTIO | Very well met, and well come. What is the news from this good deputy? |
| ISABELLA | He hath a garden circummured with brick, Whose western side is with a vineyard back'd; And to that vineyard is a planched gate, That makes his opening with this bigger key: This other doth command a little door Which from the vineyard to the garden leads; There have I made my promise Upon the heavy middle of the night To call upon him. |
| DUKE VINCENTIO | 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 me The way twice o'er. |
| DUKE VINCENTIO | Are there no other tokens Between you 'greed concerning her observance? |
| ISABELLA | No, none, but only a repair i' the dark; And that I have possess'd him my most stay Can be but brief; for I have made him know I have a servant comes with me along, That stays upon me, whose persuasion is I come about my brother. |
| DUKE VINCENTIO | 'Tis well borne up. I have not yet made known to Mariana A word of this. What, ho! within! come forth! |
| [Re-enter MARIANA] | |
| I pray you, be acquainted with this maid; She comes to do you good. |
|
| ISABELLA | I do desire the like. |
| DUKE VINCENTIO | Do you persuade yourself that I respect you? |
| MARIANA | Good friar, I know you do, and have found it. |
| DUKE VINCENTIO | 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 VINCENTIO | O place and greatness! millions of false eyes Are stuck upon thee: volumes of report Run with these false and most contrarious quests Upon thy doings: thousand escapes of wit Make thee the father of their idle dreams And rack thee in their fancies. |
| [Re-enter MARIANA and ISABELLA] | |
| Welcome, how agreed? | |
| ISABELLA | She'll take the enterprise upon her, father, If you advise it. |
| DUKE VINCENTIO | It is not my consent, But my entreaty too. |
| ISABELLA | Little have you to say When you depart from him, but, soft and low, 'Remember now my brother.' |
| MARIANA | Fear me not. |
| DUKE VINCENTIO | 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 him Doth flourish the deceit. Come, let us go: Our corn's to reap, for yet our tithe's to sow. |
| [Exeunt] |