The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - Israel Gollancz William Shakespeare [1289]
D. Bern. Nay, you are so nimble with me, you will hear Nothing.
Cam. Sir, if I must speak Nothing, I will hear Nothing. As for what you have to say, if it comes from your Heart, ’tis a Lye before you speak it. — I’ll to Leonora; and if I find her in the same Story, why, I shall believe your Wife was true to You, and your Daughter is your own. Fare you well. [Exit, as into D. Bernard’s House.
D. Bern. Ay, but two Words must go to that Bargain. It happens, that I am at present of Opinion my Daughter shall receive no more Company to day;, at least, no such Visits as yours.
[Exit D. Bernard, following him.
Scene IV. Changes to another Prospect of Don Bernard’s House.
Leonora, above.
Leon. How tediously I’ve waited at the Window,
Yet know not One that passes.— Should I trust
My Letter to a Stranger, whom I think
To bear an honest Face, (in which sometimes
We fancy we are wond’rous skillful;) then
I might be much deceiv’d. This late Example
Of base Henriquez, bleeding in me now,
From each good Aspect takes away my Trust:
For his Face seem’d to promise Truth and Honour.
Since Nature’s Gifts in noblest Forms deceive,
Be happy You, that want ’em! — Here comes One;
I’ve seen him, tho’ I know him not; He has
An honest Face too— that’s no Matter.— Sir, —
Enters Citizen.
Citiz. To me?
Leon. As You were of a virtuous Matron born,
(There is no Doubt, you are:) I do conjure you
Grant me one Boon. Say, do you know me, Sir?
Citiz. Ay, Leonora, and your worthy Father.
Leon. I have not Time to press the Suit I’ve to you
With many Words; nay, I should want the Words,
Tho’ I had Leisure: but for Love of Justice,
And as you pity Misery— But I wander
Wide from my Subject. Know you Julio, Sir?
Citiz.Yes, very well; and love him too, as well.
Leon. Oh, there an Angel spake! Then I conjure you,
Convey this Paper to him: and believe me,
You do Heav’n Service in’t, and shall have Cause
Not to repent your Pains. — I know not what
Your Fortune is; — Pardon me, gentle Sir,
That I am bold to offer This.
[Throws down a Purse with Money.
D. Bern. within.] Leonora. —
Leon. I trust to you; Heav’n put it in your Heart
To work me some Relief.
Citiz. Doubt it not, Lady. You have mov’d me so,
That tho’ a thousand Dangers barr’d my way,
I’d dare ’em all to serve you. [Exit Citizen.
Leon. Thanks from a richer Hand than mine requite you!
D. Bern. within.] Why, Daughter —
Leon. I come: — Oh, Julio, feel but half my Grief,
And Thou wilt outfly Time to bring Relief.
[Exit Leonora from the Window.
End of the Second Act.
Act III. Scene I.
Scene, The Prospect of a Village.
Enter Julio with a Letter, and Citizen.
Citiz. When from the Window she did bow and call,
Her Passions shook her Voice; and from her Eyes
Mistemper and Distraction, with strange Wildness
Bespoke Concern above a common Sorrow.
Jul. Poor Leonora! Treacherous, damn’d Henriquez!
She bids me fill my Memory with her Danger;
I do, my Leonora; yes, I fill
The Region of my Thought with nothing else;
Lower, she tells me here, that this Affair
Shall yield a Testimony of her Love:
And prays, her Letter may come safe and sudden.
This Pray’r the Heav’ns have heard, and I beseech ’em,
To hear all Pray’rs she makes.
Citiz. Have Patience, Sir.
Jul. O my good Friend, methinks, I am too patient.
Is there a Treachery, like This in Baseness,
Recorded any where? It is the deepest:
None but Itself can be its Parallel:
And from a Friend, profess’d! — Friendship? Why, ’tis
A Word for ever maim’d; in human Nature
It was a Thing the noblest; and ’mong Beasts,
It stood not in mean Place: Things of fierce Nature
Hold Amity and Concordance. — Such a Villany
A Writer could not put down in his Scene,
Without Taxation of his Auditory
For Fiction most enormous.
Citiz. These Upbraidings
Cool Time, while they are vented.
Jul.