Part 4 (1/2)

_Nicolo._ Lies! lies, your Highness!

_Old Woman._ Having a quarrel, puts the evil eye On Serafina. She's my best of cows, In stall with calf but ten days weaned.

_Nicolo._ Lies! lies!

_Old Woman._ I would your Highness saw her! When that thief Hangs upon Lazarus' bosom, he'll be bidding A ducat for each drop of milk he's cost me, To cool his tongue.

_Regent._ Ay--ay, the cow is sick, I think; and mind me, being country-bred, Of a cure for such: which is, to buy a comb And comb the sufferer's tail at feeding-time.

If Zia Agnese do but this, she'll counter The Evil Eye, and maybe with her own Detect who thieves her Serafina's hay.

_Old Woman._ G.o.d bless your Highness!

_Nicolo._ G.o.d bless your Highness!

_Regent (taking up a fresh suit)._Why, what's here? ”_Costanza, Wife of Giuseppe Boni, citeth him And sueth to live separate, for neglect And divers beatings, as to wit----_” H'm, h'm-- _Likewise to keep the child Geronimo, Begotten of his body._ You defend The suit, Giuseppe?

_A Young Peasant (shrugs his shoulders)._ As the woman will!

I'll not deny I beat her.

_Regent._ But neglect!

How came you to neglect her? Look on her-- The handsome, frowsy s.l.u.t, that, by appearance, Hath never washed her body since she wed.

A beating we might pa.s.s. But how neglect To take her by the neck unto the pump And hold her till her wet and furious face Were once again worth kissing? Well--well--well!

Neglect is proven. She shall have deserts: _(To a Clerk)_ But--write, ”Defendant keeps his lawful child.”

_Young Peasant._ My lady--

_Wife._ Nay, my lady--

_Regent._ Eh? What's this?

_Wife._ The poor _bambino_! Nay, 'twas not the suit!

How should Giuseppe, being a fool, a man--

_Young Peasant._ Aye, aye: that's sense. I love him: still, you see--

_Regent._ An if my judgment suit you not, go home, The pair. _(As they are going she calls the woman back.)_ Costanza! hath your husband erred With other woman?

_Young Peasant_. Never!

_Wife_. I'll not charge him With that.

_Regent_. But, yes, you may. This man hath held Another woman to his breast.

_Wife_. Her name?

That I may tear her eyes!

_Regent_. Her name's Costanza.

The same Costanza that, with body washed, With ribbon in her hair, light in her eyes, Arrayed a cottage to allure his heart.

Go home, poor fools, and find her!...