CRISIO. If it delights thee, come, let us once more Begin, for in Marsilio of our strife A righteous judge we have to plead before. MARS. Clearly ye show and prove your error rife, Wherewith ye twain are so besotted, drawn By the vain fancy that rules o'er your life, Since ye wish that the sorrows ye bemoan, Although so small, should be to mine preferred, Bewailed enough, and yet so little known. But that it may by earth and Heaven be heard, How far your sorrows fall below the pain That hath my soul beset and hope deferred, I will the least my bosom doth contain, Put forth, with all the feeble wit I have-- Methinks the victory in your strife I'll gain-- And unto you I shall the verdict leave, To judge my ill whether it harroweth More than the absence which doth Crisio grieve, Or than the dread and bitter ill of death; For each of you doth heedless make his plaint, Bitter and brief he calls the lot he hath. OROMPO. Thereat I feel, Marsilio, much content, Because the reason I have on my side, Hath to my anguish hope of triumph sent. CRISIO. Although the skill is unto me denied To exaggerate, when I my grief proclaim, Ye will behold how yours are set aside. MARS. Unto the deathless hardness of my dame What absence reaches? Though so hard is she, Mistress of beauty her the world acclaim. OROMPO. At what a happy hour and juncture see, Orfenio comes in sight! Be ye intent, And ye will hear him weigh his misery. 'Tis jealousy that doth his soul torment, A very knife is jealousy, the sure Disturber of Love's peace and Love's content. CRISIO. Hearken, he sings the griefs he doth endure. ORFENIO. Oh gloomy shadow, thou that followest My sorrowing and confused fancy still, Thou darkness irksome, thou that, cold and chill, Hast ever my content and light oppressed. When will it be that thou thy bitterest Wrath wilt assuage, cruel monster, harpy fell? What dost thou gain to make my joy a hell? What bliss, that thou my bliss dost from me wrest? But if the mood thou dost upon thee take, Leadeth thee on to seek his life to steal, Who life and being unto thee did give,