But hark, soft music gently moves the air! I think the bridegroom's up. Lucio, stand close. O now, Maria, challenge grief to stay Thy joy's encounter. Look, Lucio, 'tis clear day. [_They retire to the back of the stage._ _Enter_ ANTONIO, GALEATZO, MATZAGENTE, BALURDO, PANDULPHO, FELICHE, ALBERTO, FOROBOSCO, CASTILIO, _and a Page_. _Ant._ Darkness is fled: look, infant morn hath drawn Bright silver curtains 'bout the couch of night; And now Aurora's horse trots azure rings,[212] Breathing fair light about the firmament.-- Stand, what's that? 70 _Mat._ And if a hornèd devil should burst forth, I would pass on him with a mortal stock.[213] _Alb._ Oh, a horned devil would prove ominous Unto a bridegroom's eyes. _Mat._ A horned devil? Good: ha, ha, ha!--very good! _Alb._ Good tann'd prince, laugh not. By the joys of love, When thou dost girn,[214] thy rusty face doth look Like the head of a roasted rabbit: fie upon't! _Bal._ By my troth, methinks his nose is just colour de roy.[215] _Mat._ I tell thee, fool, my nose will abide no jest. 80 _Bal._ No, in truth, I do not jest; I speak truth. Truth is the touchstone of all things; and, if your nose will not abide the truth, your nose will not abide the touch; and, if your nose will not abide the touch, your nose is a copper nose, and must be nail'd up for a slip.[216] _Mat._ I scorn to retort the obtuse jest of a fool. [BALURDO _draws out his writing tables, and writes_. _Bal._ Retort and obtuse, good words, very good words. _Gal._ Young prince, look sprightly; fie, a bridegroom sad! _Bal._ In truth, if he were retort and obtuse, no question he would be merry; but, and please my genius, I will be most retort and obtuse ere night. I'll tell you what I'll bear soon at night in my shield, for my device. 92 _Gal._ What, good Balurdo? _Bal._ O, do me right:--Sir Jeffrey Balurdo; sir, sir, as long as ye live, sir. _Gal._ What, good Sir Jeffrey Balurdo? _Bal._ Marry forsooth, I'll carry for my device my grandfather's great stone horse, flinging up his head, and jerking out his left leg: the word, "Wighy Purt." As I am a true knight, will't not be most retort and obtuse, ha? 101