GERT. Sister, [you] know I love thee, And I'll not think a thought thou shalt not know. I love a gentleman, that answers me In all the rights of love as faithfully: Has woo'd me oft with sonnets and with tears: Yet I seem still to slight him. Experience tells, The jewel that's enjoy'd is not esteem'd; Things hardly got are always highest deem'd. JOYCE. You say well, sister; but it is not good to linger out too long; continuance of time will take away any man's stomach in the world. I hope the next time that he comes to you I shall see him. GERT. You shall. JOYCE. Why, go to then: you shall have my opinion of him. If he deserve thee, thou shalt delay him no longer; for if you cannot find in your heart to tell him you love him, I'll sigh it out for you. Come, we little creatures must help one another. [_Exeunt._ _Enter_ GERALDINE. GERA. How cheerfully things look in this place! 'Tis always spring-time here; such is the grace And potency of her who has the bliss To make it still Elysium where she is. Nor doth the king of flames in's golden fires, After a tempest, answer men's desires, When as he casts his comfortable beams Over the flowery fields and silver streams, As her illustrate beauty strikes in me, And wraps my soul up to felicity. _Enter_ GERTRUDE _and_ JOYCE _aloft_. JOYCE. Do you hear, sir? GERT. Why, sister, what will you do? JOYCE. By my maidenhead, an oath which I ne'er took in vain, either go down and comfort him, or I'll call him up and disclose all. What, will you have no mercy, but let a proper man, that might spend the spirit of his youth upon yourself, fall into a consumption? for shame, sister! GERT. You are the strangest creature--what would you have me do? JOYCE. Marry, I would have you go to him, take him by the hand, and gripe him; say, You are welcome, I love you with all my heart, you are the man must do the feat; and take him about the neck, and kiss upon the bargain. GERT. Fie, how you talk! 'tis mere immodesty; The common'st strumpet would not do so much. JOYCE. Marry, the better; for such as are honest Should still do what the common strumpet will not. Speak, will you do it? GERT. I'll lose his company for ever first. JOYCE. Do you hear, sir? here is a gentlewoman would speak with you. GERT. Why, sister! pray, sister---- JOYCE. One that loves you with all her heart, yet is ashamed to confess it. GERT. Good sister, hold your tongue: I will go down to him. JOYCE. Do not jest with me; for, by this hand, I'll either get him up, or go down myself, and read the whole history of your love to him. GERT. If you forbear to call, I will go down.