SOLDIER. From the turret of the fort, By the rising clouds of dust, through which, like lightning The splendour of bright arms sometimes brake through, I did descry some forces making towards us; And from the camp, as emulous of their glory, The general, for I know him by his horse, And bravely seconded, encounter’d them. Their greetings were too rough for friends; their swords, And not their tongues, exchanging courtesies. By this the main battalias are join’d; And if you please to be spectators of The horrid issue, I will bring you where, As in a theatre, you may see their fates In purple gore presented.(129) The second is from _The Duke of Milan_, where Marcelia expresses her love for her lord, Sforza, the Duke of Milan. MARCELIA. My worthiest lord! The only object I behold with pleasure, My pride, my glory, in a word, my all! Bear witness, heaven, that I esteem myself In nothing worthy of the meanest praise You can bestow, unless it be in this, That in my heart, I love and honour you. And, but that it would smell of arrogance To speak my strong desire and zeal to serve you, I then could say, these eyes yet never saw The rising sun, but that my vows and prayers Were sent to heaven for the prosperity And safety of my lord, nor have I ever Had other study, but how to appear Worthy your favour; and that my embraces Might yield a fruitful harvest of content For all your noble travail, in the purchase Of her that’s still your servant; by these lips, Which pardon me that I presume to kiss—— SFORZA. O swear, for ever swear! MARCELIA. I ne’er will seek Delight but in your pleasure; and desire, When you are sated(130) with all earthly glories, And age and honours make you fit for heaven, That one grave may receive us. The third is from _A Very Woman_; the disguised John Antonio is telling his story at Almira’s request: Not far from where my father lives, a lady, A neighbour by, blest with as great a beauty As nature durst bestow without undoing, Dwelt, and most happily, as I thought then, And bless’d the house a thousand times she dwelt in. This beauty, in the blossom of my youth, When my first fire felt no adulterate incense, Nor I no way to flatter, but my fondness; In all the bravery my friends could show me, In all the faith my innocence could give me, In the best language my true tongue could tell me, And all the broken sighs my sick heart lend me, I sued and serv’d; long did I love this lady, Long was my travail, long my trade to win her; With all the duty of my soul I serv’d her.(131)