SCUD. Read, whilst I tell the story of my love, And sound the truth of her heroic spirit, Whom eloquence could never flatter yet, Nor the best tongue of praises reach unto. The maid there nam'd I met once on a green, Near to her father's house: methought she show'd-- For I did look on her, indeed no eye That ow'd a sensible member, but must dwell A while on such an object: The passing horses and the feeding kine Stood still, and left their journeys and their food: The singing birds were in contention, Which should 'light nearest her; for her clear eyes Deceiv'd even men, they were so like bright skies. Near, in a rivulet, swam two beauteous swans, Whiter than anything but her neck and hands, Which they left straight to comfort her: a bull Being baiting on the green for the swains' sport, She walking toward it: the vex'd savage beast Ceas'd bellowing, the snarling dogs were mute, And had enough to do to look on her, Whose face brought concord and an end of jars, Though nature made 'em ever to have wars, Had there been bears and lions, when she spake, They had been charm'd too; for Grecian's lute Was rustic music to her heavenly tongue, Whose sweetness e'en cast slumbers on mine eyes, Soft as content, yet would not let me sleep. NEV. "Yours through the world, and to the end of time BELLAFRONT." Which Bellafront? rich Sir John Worldly's daughter? SCUD. She is the food, the sleep, the air I live by. NEV. O heaven! we speak like gods and do like dogs. SCUD. What means my---- NEV. This day this Bellafront, the rich heir, Is married unto Count Frederick, And that's the wedding I was going to. SCUD. I prythee, do not mock me. Married! NEV. It is no matter to be play'd withal, But even as true, as women all are false. SCUD. O, that this stroke were thunder to my breast; For, Nevill, thou hast spoke my heart in twain, And with the sudden whirlwind of thy breath Hast ravish'd me out of a temperate soil, And set me under the red burning zone. NEV. For shame! return thy blood into thy face. Know'st not how slight a thing a woman is? SCUD. Yes, and how serious too. Come! I'll t' the Temple: She shall not damn herself for want of counsel. NEV. O, prythee, run not thus into the streets! Come, dress you better: so. Ah! yes,[14] thy clothes Are, like thy mind, too much disordered. How strangely is this tide turn'd! For a world, I would not but have call'd here as I went. Collect thy spirits: we will use all means To check this black fate flying toward thee. Come! If thou miscarriest, 'tis my day of doom. SCUD. Yes--now I'm fine. Married! It may be so; But, women, look to't: if she prove untrue, The devil take you all, that are his due! [_Exeunt._ SCENE II.