Part 19 (1/2)

_Sir Wil_. These transports check.

Lo, an example to mankind I set Of amorous emprise; and who should thrive In love, if not Love's soldier, who doth press The doubtful siege, and will not own repulse.

Lo, here I tender thee my fealty, To live thy duteous slave. My queen thou art, In frowns or smiles, to give me life or death.

Oh, deign look down upon me! In thy face Alone I look on day; it is my sun Most bright; the which denied, no sun doth rise.

s.h.i.+ne out upon me, my divinity!

My gentle Widow Green! My wife to be; My love, my life, my drooping, blus.h.i.+ng bride!

_W. Green_. Sir William Fondlove, you're a fool!

_Sir Wil_. A fool!

_W. Green_. Why come you hither, sir, in trim like this?

Or rather why at all?

_Sir Wil_. Why come I hither?

To marry thee!

_W. Green_. The man will drive me mad!

Sir William Fondlove, I'm but forty, sir, And you are sixty, seventy, if a day; At least you look it, sir. I marry you!

When did a woman wed her grandfather?

_Sir Wil_. Her brain is turned!

_W. Green_. You're in your dotage, sir, And yet a boy in vanity! But know Yourself from me; you are old and ugly, sir.

_Sir Wil_. Do you deny you are in love with me?

_W. Green_. In love with thee!

_Sir Wil_. That you are jealous of me?

_W. Green_. Jealous!

_Sir Wil_. To very lunacy.

_W. Green_. To hear him!

_Sir Wil_. Do you forget what happened yesterday?

_W. Green_. Sir William Fondlove!--

_Sir Wil_. Widow Green, fair play!-- Are you not laughing? Is it not a jest?

Do you believe me seventy to a day?

Do I look it? Am I old and ugly? Why, Why do I see those favours in the hall, These ladies dressed as bridemaids, thee as bride, Unless to marry me?

[Knock.]

_W. Green_. He is coming, sir, Shall answer you for me!

[Enter WALLER, with Gentlemen as Bridemen.]

_Wal_. Where is she? What!

All that bespeaks the day, except the fair That's queen of it? Most kind of you to grace My nuptials so! But that I render you My thanks in full, make full my happiness, And tell me where's my bride?