Part 3 (2/2)

Where fas.h.i.+on makes the law--your umpire which You bow to, whether it has brains or not!

Where Folly taketh off his cap and bells, To clap on Wisdom, which must bear the jest!

Where to pa.s.s current you must seem the thing, The pa.s.sive thing, that others think; and not Your simple, honest, independent self!

_Helen_. Ay: so says Master Walter. See I not What can you find in Master Walter, Julia, To be so fond of him!

_Julia_. He's fond of me!

I've known him since I was a child. E'en then, The week I thought a weary, heavy one, That brought not Master Walter. I had those About me then that made a fool of me, As children oft are fooled; but more I loved Good Master Walter's lesson than the play With which they'd surfeit me. As I grew up, More frequent Master Walter came, and more I loved to see him! I had tutors then, Men of great skill and learning--but not one That taught like Master Walter. What they'd show me, And I, dull as I was, but doubtful saw,-- A word from Master Walter made as clear As daylight! When my schooling days were o'er-- That's now good three years past--three years--I vow I'm twenty, Helen!--well, as I was saying, When I had done with school, and all were gone, Still Master Walter came! and still he comes, Summer or winter--frost or rain! I've seen The snow upon a level with the hedge, Yet there was Master Walter!

_Helen_. Who comes here?

A carriage, and a gay one--who alights?

Pshaw! Only Master Walter! What see you, Which thus repairs the arch of the fair brow, A frown was like to spoil?--A gentleman!

One of our town kings! Mark!--How say you now?

Wouldst be a town queen, Julia? Which of us, I wonder, comes he for?

_Julia_. For neither of us; He's Master Walter's clerk, most like.

_Helen_. Most like!

Mark him as he comes up the avenue; So looks a clerk! A clerk has such a gait!

So does a clerk dress, Julia!--mind his hose-- They're very like a clerk's! a diamond loop And b.u.t.ton, note you, for his clerks.h.i.+p's hat,-- O, certainly a clerk! A velvet cloak, Jerkin of silk, and doublet of the same,-- For all the world a clerk! See, Julia, see, How Master Walter bows, and yields him place, That he may first go in--a very clerk!

I'll learn of thee, love, when I'd know a clerk!

_Julia_. I wonder who he is!

_Helen_. Wouldst like to know?

Wouldst for a fancy ride to town with him?

I prophesy he comes to take thee thither!

_Julia_. He ne'er takes me to town! No, Helen, no!

To town who will, a country life for me!

_Helen_. We'll see!

[Enter FATHOM.]

_Fath_. You're wanted, madam.

_Julia_. [Embarra.s.sed.] Which of us?

_Fath_. You, madam.

_Helen_. Julia! what's the matter? Nay, Mount not the rose so soon! He must not see it A month hence. 'Tis loves flower, which once she wears, The maid is all his own.

_Julia_. Go to!

_Helen_. Be sure He comes to woo thee! He will bear thee hence; He'll make thee change the country for the town.

_Julia_. I'm constancy. Name he the town to me, I'll tell what I think on't!

_Helen_. Then you guess He comes a wooing?

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