_Julia_. Love's cunning of disguises! spite of locks, Skin, vesture,--it is she, and only she What will not constant woman do for love That's loved with constancy! Set her the task, Virtue approving, that will baffle her! O'ertax her stooping, patience, courage, wit! My life upon it, 'tis the princess' self, Transformed into a page! _Wal_. The dungeon door Stands open, and you see beyond-- _Julia_. Her father! _Wal_. No; a steed. _Julia_. [Starting up.] O, welcome steed, My heart bounds at the thought of thee! Thou comest To bear the page from bonds to liberty. What else? _Wal_. [Rising.] The story's told. _Julia_. Too briefly told; O happy princess, that had wealth and state To lay them down for love! Whose constant love Appearances approved, not falsified! A winner in thy loss, as well as gain. _Wal_. Weighs love so much? _Julia_. What would you weigh 'gainst love That's true? Tell me with what you'd turn the scale? Yea, make the index waver? Wealth? A feather! Rank? Tinsel against bullion in the balance! The love of kindred? That to set 'gainst love! Friendship comes nearest to't; but put it in, Friendship will kick the beam!--weigh nothing 'gainst it! Weigh love against the world! Yet are they happy that have naught to say to it. _Wal_. And such a one art thou. Who wisely wed, Wed happily. The love thou speak'st of, A flower is only, that its season has, Which they must look to see the withering of, Who pleasure in its budding and its bloom! But wisdom is the constant evergreen Which lives the whole year through! Be that, your flower! [Enter a Servant.] Well? _Serv_. My lord's secretary is without. He brings a letter for her ladyship, And craves admittance to her. _Wal_. Show him in. _Julia_. No. _Wal_. Thou must see him. To show slight to him, Were slighting him that sent him. Show him in! [Servant goes out.] Some errand proper for thy private ear, Besides the letter he may bring. What mean This paleness and this trembling? Mark me, Julia! If, from these nuptials, which thyself invited-- Which at thy seeking came--thou wouldst be freed, Thou hast gone too far! Receding were disgrace, Sooner than see thee suffer which, the hearts That love thee most would wish thee dead! Reflect! Take thought! collect thyself! With dignity Receive thy bridegroom's messenger! for sure As dawns to-morrow's sun, to-morrow night Sees thee a wedded bride! [Goes out.]