English drama -- Early modern and Elizabethan, 1500-1600
_Duke_. I have not seene a prettier forme of hand.
Daughter, let's see; is't not too bigge for you?
_Euph_. Sure 'tis some admirable worke of nature,
If it fit any hand that owes[174] this glove,
If all the rest doe parallel the hand.
_Duke_. Will it not on?
_Euph_. Not for a diadem;
Ile trie no longer lest I shame my selfe.
_Duke_. Try, _Julia_.
_Ju_. My hand's bigger then my Ladies.
_Duke_. I cannot tell, but in my minde I feele
A wondrous passion of I know not what.
_Fre_. The imbroidered glove may be some childs, no womans.
_Duke_. I should mistrust as much, but that this place
Beares greater compasse then a childish hand.
I must command it.
_Fre_. Willingly, my Lord.
_Duke_. Then to the state-house, brothers, leade the way:
First our instalement [_sic_], then a funerall day.
[_Exeunt Duke and brothers and Fred_.
_Enter Otho_.
_Otho_. Yonder she goes, the mirrour of her sexe.--
Stay, beauteous _Euphrata_.
_Euph. Otho_! what, _Julia_?
_Ju_. Here, madam! what's your will?
_Euph_. Call _Constantine_;
Tell him his deare friend _Otho_ is return'd.
_Ju_. I will.
_Otho_. Stay, _Julia_.
_Euph_. Doe as I bid you, goe. [_Exit Julia_.
_Otho_. I had rather have a word or twaine with you.
_Euph_. I have heard him oft enquire for thee his friend,
I have heard him sigh, I have seene him weepe for thee,
Imagining some mischiefe or distresse
Had falne thee since the closets separation.
_Otho_.--And what a slave am I to wrong this friend!
_Enter Constantine and Julia_.
_Con_. Where is he?
_Ju_. Here.
_Con_. The welcom'st man alive.
Unkind, how couldst thou stay from me so long?
_Otho_. I have bin ill at ease, pray pardon me;
But I rejoyce to see my friend so well.
_Euph_. Some Ladies love hath made him melancholy.
_Otho_. Shee hath read the letter that I lately sent her
In a pomegranat, by those words I hope.
_Con_. Why speake you not? is't love or melancholy?
_Otho_. If upon love my grief is melancholy?
_Con_. Ile have the best Phisitians here in _Meath_
Assay by art to cure that maladie.
_Euph_. Gainst mellancholy minds your onely Phisick
Our Saxon doctors hold that principle.
Now I remember you did lately send me
A choice pomegranate; fetch it, _Julia_.
Some of those graines well stir'd in _Gascoine_ wine
Is present remedie.
_Otho_. Madam, Ile none:
Of all fruits, that I hate.
_Euph_. And commended it
So highly by the messenger that brought it!
_Con_. Twas well remembred, you shall take a graine.
_Otho_. You will but vexe me.
_Con_. So his melancholly
Doth make him froward with his dearest friend.
_Enter Julia with the pomegranate_.
Tis well done, _Julia_, quickely cut it up;
And bring a cup of wine, or let me doo't.
_Otho_. I see I shall be plagu'd with mine owne wit;
Being asham'd to speake, I writ my minde.--
Were you my friends, you would not martyr me
With needlesse phisicke; fie upon this trash,
The very sight is loathsome.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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