_Ferd._ Admired Miranda! Indeed the top of admiration; worth What's dearest to the world! Full many a lady I've eyed with best regard; and many a time The harmony of their tongues hath into bondage Brought my too diligent ear: for several virtues Have I liked several women; never any With so full soul, but some defect in her Did quarrel with the noblest grace she owed, And put it to the foil:[420-5] but you, O you, So perfect and so peerless, are created Of every creature's best! _Mira._ I do not know One of my sex; no woman's face remember, Save, from my glass, mine own; nor have I seen More that I may call men, than you, good friend, And my dear father: how features are abroad, I'm skilless of; but, by my modesty,-- The jewel in my dower,--I would not wish Any companion in the world but you; Nor can imagination form a shape, Besides yourself, to like of. But I prattle Something too wildly, and my father's precepts I therein do forget. [Illustration: PRAY YOU, WORK NOT SO HARD] _Ferd._ I am, in my condition, A prince, Miranda; I do think, a king,-- I would not so![420-6]--and would no more endure This wooden slavery than to suffer The flesh-fly blow[422-7] my mouth. Hear my soul speak: The very instant that I saw you, did My heart fly to your service; there resides, To make me slave to it; and for your sake Am I this patient log-man. _Mira._ Do you love me? _Ferd._ O Heaven, O Earth, bear witness to this sound, And crown what I profess with kind event, If I speak true! if hollowly,[422-8] invert What best is boded me to mischief! I, Beyond all limit of what else[422-9] i' the world, Do love, prize, honour you. _Mira._ I am a fool To weep at what I'm glad of. _Pros._ [_Aside._] Fair encounter Of two most rare affections! Heavens rain grace On that which breeds between them! _Ferd._ Wherefore weep you? _Mira._ At mine unworthiness, that dare not offer What I desire to give; and much less take What I shall die to want.[422-10] But this is trifling; And all the more it seeks to hide itself, The bigger bulk it shows. Hence, bashful cunning! And prompt me, plain and holy innocence! I am your wife, if you will marry me; If not, I'll die your maid: to be your fellow[423-11] You may deny me; but I'll be your servant, Whether you will or no. _Ferd._ My mistress, dearest, And I thus humble ever. _Mira._ My husband, then? _Ferd._ Ay, with a heart as willing As bondage[423-12] e'er of freedom: here's my hand. _Mira._ And mine, with my heart in't: and now farewell Till half an hour hence.