Which lieth in my hands now, if ye be agreed. O Parmeno, what a life may we endure! Sempronio loveth the daughter of Eliso-- PAR. And who? Arusa? CEL. Likest her? PAR. Peradventure? CEL. I shall get her to thee, that shall I do. PAR. Nay, mother Celestine, I purpose not so. A man should be conversant, I hear tell, With them that be ill, and think to do well. Sempronio, his ensample shall not make me Better nor worse; nor his faults will I hide; But, mother Celestine, a question to thee-- Is not sin anon in one espied? That is drowned in delight, how should he provide Against virtue to save his honesty? CEL. Like a child without wisdom thou answerest me. Without company mirth can have none estate: Use no sloth; nature abhorreth idleness, Which leseth delight to nature appropriate. In sensual causes delight is chief mistress; Specially recounting love's business. To say thus doth she: the time thus they pass, And such manner they use, and thus they kiss and bass; And thus they meet and embrace together. What speech, what grace, what plays is between them! Where is she? there she goeth; let us see whither: Now pleased, now froward; now mum, now hem! Strike up, minstrel, with saws of love, the old problem. Sing sweet songs; now jousts and tourney. Of new inventions what conceits find they? Now she goeth to mass; to-morrow she cometh out. Behold her better; yonder goeth a cuckold. I left her alone: she cometh: turn about!-- Lo thus, Parmeno, thou mayest behold Friends will talk together, as I have told. Wherefore perceive thou, that I say truly, Never can be delight without company. _Hic iterum intrat_ CALISTO. CAL. Mother, as I promised to assoil thy doubt, Here I give thee an hundred pieces of gold. CEL. Sir, I promise you I shall bring it about, All thing to purpose, even as ye would; For your reward I will do as I should. Be merry, fear nothing, content ye shall be. CAL. Then, mother, farewell; be diligent, I pray thee. [_Exit Celestine_. How sayest, Sempronio, have I done well? SEM. Yea, sir, in my mind, and most according. CAL. Then wilt thou do after my counsel? After this old woman will thou be hieing, To remember and haste her in everything. SEM. Sir, I am content, as ye command me. CAL. Then go, and bid Parmeno come, I pray thee. [_Exit Sempronio_. Now God be their guides! the posts[57] of my life, My relief from death, the ambassadors of my wealth! My hope, my hap; my quietness, my strife; My joy, my sorrow; my sickness, my health. The hope of this old woman; my heart telleth That comfort shall come shortly, as I intend. Or else come, death, and make of me an end. _Enter_ PARMENO.