_Clif_. I thank you, Master Walter! As you speak, Methinks I see me at the altar-foot! Her hand fast locked in mine!--the ring put on! My wedding-bell rings merry in my ear; And round me throng glad tongues that give me joy To be the bridegroom of so fair a bride! _Wal_. What! sparks so thick? We'll have a blaze anon! _Servant_. [Entering.] The chariot's at the door. _Wal_. It waits in time! Sir Thomas, it shall bear thee to the bower Where dwells this fair--for she's no city belle, But e'en a sylvan goddess! _Clif_. Have with you! _Wal_. You'll bless the day you served the Hunchback, sir! [They go out.] SCENE II.--A Garden before a Country House. [Enter JULIA and HELEN.] _Helen_. I like not, Julia, this your country life. I'm weary on't! _Julia_. Indeed? So am not I! I know no other; would no other know! _Helen_. You would no other know! Would you not know Another relative?--another friend-- Another house--another anything, Because the ones you have already please you? That's poor content! Would you not be more rich, More wise, more fair? The song that last you learned You fancy well; and therefore shall you learn No other song? Your virginal, 'tis true, Hath a sweet tone; but does it follow thence, You shall not have another virginal? You may, love, and a sweeter one; and so A sweeter life may find than this you lead! _Julia_. I seek it not. Helen, I'm constancy! _Helen_. So is a cat, a dog, a silly hen, An owl, a bat,--where they are wont to lodge That still sojourn, nor care to shift their quarters. Thou'rt constancy? I am glad I know thy name! The spider comes of the same family, That in his meshy fortress spends his life, Unless you pull it down and scare him from it. And so thou'rt constancy? Ar't proud of that? I'll warrant thee I'll match thee with a snail From year to year that never leaves his house! Such constancy forsooth!--a constant grub That houses ever in the self-same nut Where he was born, till hunger drives him out, Or plunder breaketh through his castle wall! And so, in very deed, thou'rt constancy! _Julia_. Helen, you know the adage of the tree;-- I've ta'en the bend. This rural life of mine, Enjoined me by an unknown father's will, I've led from infancy. Debarred from hope Of change, I ne'er have sighed for change. The town To me was like the moon, for any thought I e'er should visit it--nor was I schooled To think it half so fair! _Helen_. Not half so fair! The town's the sun, and thou hast dwelt in night E'er since thy birth, not to have seen the town! Their women there are queens, and kings their men; Their houses palaces! _Julia_. And what of that? Have your town-palaces a hall like this? Couches so fragrant? walls so high-adorned? Casements with such festoons, such prospects, Helen, As these fair vistas have? Your kings and queens! See me a May-day queen, and talk of them!