_Ant. Nel cielo può esser beltà più chiara?_ _Mel._ Nel mondo può[149] esser beltà più chiara?_ _Ant. Dammi un bacio da quella bocca beata, Lasciami[150] coglier l'aura odorata Che ha[151] sua seggia in quelle dolci labbra._ _Mel. Dammi per impero del tuo gradit'amore Che bea me con sempiterno honore, Così, così mi converrà morir._ Good sweet, scout o'er the marsh, for my heart trembles 200 At every little breath that strikes my ear. When thou returnest, then I will discourse How I deceiv'd the court; then thou shalt tell How thou escaped'st the watch: we'll point our speech With amorous kissing[152] commas, and even suck The liquid breath from out each other's lips. _Ant._ Dull clod, no man but such sweet favour clips. I go, and yet my panting blood persuades me stay. Turn coward in her sight? away, away! [_Exit._ 209 [_Page._] I think confusion of Babel is fall'n upon those lovers, that they change their language; but I fear me, my master having but feigned the person of a woman, hath got their unfeigned imperfection, and is grown double tongued: as for Mellida, she were no woman, if she could not yield strange language. But howsoever, if I should sit in judgment, 'tis an error easier to be pardoned by the auditors, than excused by the authors; and yet some private respect may rebate the edge of the keener censure. _Enter_ PIERO, CASTILIO, MATZAGENTE, FOROBOSCO, FELICHE, GALEATZO, _at one door_; BALURDO, _and his_ Page, _at another door_. _Pier._ This way she took: search, my sweet gentlemen. How now, Balurdo, canst thou meet with anybody? 221 _Bal._ As I am true gentleman, I made my horse sweat, that he hath ne'er a dry thread on him: and I can meet with no living creature, but men and beasts. In good sadness,[153] I would have sworn I had seen Mellida even now; for I saw a thing stir under a hedge, and I peep'd, and I spied a thing, and I peer'd, and I tweer'd[154] underneath: and truly a right wise man might have been deceived, for it was----. _Pier._ What, in the name of heaven? 230 _Bal._ A dun cow. _Feli._ Sh'ad ne'er a kettle[155] on her head? _Pier._ Boy, did'st thou see a young lady pass this way? _Gal._ Why speak you not? _Bal._ God's neaks, proud elf, give the Duke reverence! Stand bare with a----. Whogh! heavens bless me! Mellida, Mellida! _Pier._ Where man, where? _Bal._ Turned man, turned man; women wear the breeches. Lo, here! 240 _Pier._ Light and unduteous! kneel not, peevish elf; Speak not, entreat not, shame unto my house, Curse to my honour. Where's Antonio? Thou traitress to my hate, what, is he shipp'd For England now? well, whimpering harlot, hence! _Mel._ Good father!