Your secret’s safe with me. I should be hurt To think that there was any man on earth Whom you could trust before me: and if my place Here in the court can help you in your love, Reckon upon me. RICARDO. I do, and hope some day It may be in my good fortune to repay you For such a favour. _F._ Favour! what a word To an old friend! _R._ Nay, do not misconstrue me. _F._ I own I am jealous, Richard, of the time We have lived apart. There was a touch of fear 10 Mixed with my joy, when you broke in upon me This morning, that the ten years had not spared me. You find me changed? Say, doth my countenance Wear the smug livery of the world? _R._ Nay, friend; I see no trace of that. _F._ Then I remember While I have played you have been within the mill: And should I beat your coat there must fly out Clouds of that dusty, damned experience. Is not that so, your grace? _R._ Go on: provoke me, As you were wont. 20 _F._ The best remembrance, Richard, Drowns in the world: and how should college days Live in your memory as they do in mine? ’Tis no such lustre to your brilliant life That we were comrades in Utopia; That commonwealth of study and idleness, Where sport, adventure, poetry and music Were sauced with virgin-juice, a dish for gods. _R._ As if I could forget! _F._ Ay, but the spirit! Think you we should have spoken of favours then? In those days, Richard, we were used to think 30 Our teachers never had tasted life like ours; Their staid propriety not logically Deducible from essences as fresh As angels of the sunrise. Shall the boys Now say the same of us? By heaven you fright me: The heart of manhood not to outlive a dog! Then my old grudge against you. _R._ What was that? _F._ Your rank, which first drew us apart: but now To meet again and have you in my debt Is favour, by your leave, above repayment. 40 _R._ Still as proud as a peacock. _F._ Could I do you a service. But can I? See, I am here the Countess’secretary: To make believe that you are a stranger to me Were breach of trust. _R._ But love makes tricks of crimes. _F._ And if she has often seen you, how suppose She will not know you? _R._ ’Tis so long ago That now in my disguise I have no fear. You did not know me. _F._ That was but your beard.