FUTELLI

She never used my Lord, A second means, but kissed the letter first, Orelookt the superscription: then let fallen Some amorous drops, kissed it again, talked to it Twenty times over, set it to her mouth, Then gave it me, then snatched it back again, Then cried, o my poor heart, and in and instant Commend my truth and secrecy, such medley Of passion yet, I never saw in woman. Twenty ducats She forced on me, vowed by the precious love She boar the best of men, (I use my lord) Her very words the miracle of men, Malfato, (then she sighed) this mite of gold Was only entrance to a farther bounty, 'Tis meant (my lord) be Like press money. There lies (my lord) her cunning, Rather her craft: first she began what pity It was, that men should differ in estates, Without proportion some so strangely rich, Others so miserable poor; and yet, Quoth she, since 'tis very deed unfit All should be equals; so I must confess It were good justice that the properest men Should be preferred to fortune, such as nature Had marked with fair abilities of which Genoa, for ought I know, hath wondrous few Not two to boast of. I answered, she was happy then, whose choice In you, my lord, was singular. She smiled, and said, it might be so, and yet There stopped: then I closed with her, and concluded The title of a lord was not enough, For absolute perfection, I had seen Persons of meaner quality, much more Exact in fair endowments; but your Lordship Will pardon me, I hope. Phew: let that pass (quoth she) and now we prattle Of handsome gentlemen, in my opinion, Malfato is a very pretty fellow, Is he not, pray Sir, I had then the truth Of what I roved a and with more then praise, Approved her judgement in so high a strain, Without comparison (my honoured Lord) That soon we both concluded of the man, The match and business. Whereto I No sooner had consented, with protests, (I did protest my Lord) of secrecy, And service, but she kissed me (as I live) Of her own free accord—(I trust your lordship Conceives not me amiss) pray rip the seal (My lord) yowl find sweet stuff, I dare believe, will not your lordship peruse the contents? Your Lordship's ear shall share ith' plot. And my good lord, He that is honest, must be poor, my lord, It is a common rule. Spare me. Piero has the tongue more pregnant. Shall be yours. Handsome enough, good face, quick eye, well bred. With and humour of thinking, she deserves— She scorns all mention of a match beneath One of the foresaid nobles; will not ride In a caroach without eight horses. Are for the power But for two horses in a coach— But by hearsay. Has refused suitors Of worthy rank, substantial and free parts Only for that they are not Dukes, or Counts, Yet she herself, with h all her father's store, Can hardly weigh above four hundred Ducats For rival unto whom we have enraged Fulgoso, the rich coxcomb lately started A gentleman out of a Sum le hut, In the late Flemish wars, we have resolved him He is descended from Pantagruel, Of famous memory by the father's side, And by the mother from Dame Fusti-Bunga, Who troubled long time with a strangury, Vented at last salt-water so abundantly, As drowned the land betwixt Sirixia and V re, Where steeples tops are only seen he casts Beyond the Moon, and will be greater yet In spite of Done. But countenance the course My Lord, and it may chance beside the mirth, To work a reformation on the maiden, Her father's leave is granted, and thanks promised, Our ends are harmless trials. Under favour Signior Malfato, I am sent to crave Your leisure, for a word or two in private. This letter will inform you. Speak ye to me sir? Sure in health sir. I do. You wrong him. I shall report your answer. Exit. In subtleties of war, (I talk t'ee now in your own occupation, Your trade, or what you please) unto a Soldier, Surprisal of and enemy by stratagem, Or downright cutting throats is all one thing. By way of parallel, You drill or exercise your company, (No matter which for terms) before you draw Into the field, so in the feats of Courtship First choice is made of thoughts, behaviour, words, The set of looks, the posture of the beard, Besol as manus, cringes of the knee, The very hums and ha, thumps, and ay mees. Then next, Your enemy in face, your mistress (mark it) Now you consult either to skirmish slightly, Thats careless amors, or to enter battle, Then fallen to open treaty, or to work By secre spies or gold: here you corrupt The Chambermaid a fatal engine, or Place there and Ambusesdo, thats contract With some of her near friends, for half her portion, Or offer truce, and in the interim, Run upon slaughter, 'tis a noble treachery, Thats swear and lie, steal her away: and to her Cast caps, and cry Victoriam, the field's Thine own (my Done) she's thine. Hold her then fast. No, sh'as skipped your hold, my imaginations eyes Perceives she not endures the touch or sent Of your war-over-worne habiliments, Which I forgotten in my instructions To warn you of, therefore my warlike Done, Apparel speedily your imagination With a more courtly outside. As soon as said, in all the clothes thou hast, More than that walking wardrobe on thy back. I this is brave indeed. Top and topgallant brave, Imagine so, And that this rich suit of imagination, Is on already now (which is most probable As that apparel) here stands your Amoret, Make your approach and court her. 'Sfoot, Done, you talk too big, you make her tremble, Do you not see't imaginarily? I do as plainly as you saw the death Of the Austrian Boar, she rather hears Of feasting then of fighting, take her that way. Can more be said by one that feeds on herring And garlic constantly? Enough, shes taken, and will love you now, As well in buff, as your imagined bravery, Your dainty ten times dreft buff, with this language (Bold man of arms) shall win upon her, doubt not Beyond all silken puppetry, think no more Of your mockadoes, calaminchaes, quellios, Pearl larded capes and diamond buttond breeches, Leave such poor outside helps to puling lovers, Such as Fulgoso your weak rival is, That starveling braind-companion appear you At first (at least) in your own warlike fashion: I pray be ruled, and change not a thread about you. Why so you carry her from all the world, Ime proud my stars designed me out and instrument In such and High employment. Dee note your rival. What think you Done, of this brave man? Beat up Sir, he's your rival, budge not from him And inch, your grounds are honour. Famous Done. Still Done is Done the great. It the ready means to catch his friendship. Now since fate Ordains that one of two must be the man, The man of men which must enjoy alone Loves darling Amoret, both take liberty To show himself before her, without cross Of interruption, one of tother: he Whose sacred mystery of earthly blessings Crowns the pursuit; be happy. We shall soon return. Viewing the rooms, 'Tis Like yowl meet her in the gallery. This house is full of curiosities, Most fit for Ladies sights. Doubt not. Have I life Sir, Faith, Christianity? Why one and all, th'art welcome, lets shake hands on't, Thy name? In all your great attempts, may you grow thrifty, Secure, and prosperous. Quite lost no prints, Or any tongue of racing her, how ever Matters are huddled up: I doubt my Lord Her husband carries little peace about him. Levidolche. For her partly too laughd at Malfatos frenzy (Just so she termed it) but for you (my Lord) She said she thanked your charity, which lent Her crooked soul, before it left her body, Some respite, wherein it might learn again The means of growing straight. You are happy. Mirth sometime falls into earnest signior. I grow quite weary of this lazy custom Attending on the fruitless Hope's of service, For meat and rags, a wit, a shrewd preferment Study some scurrill jests, grow old and beg No let em be admitted that love foul linen. I'll run a new course. Hushed man, one suitor comes. Be not so loud—here comes Madonna sweet lips. Mithtreth, inthooth for thooth, will lithpe it to uth. No sweet madam, Your lips are destined to a better use, Or else the proverb fails of lisping maids. A very country catch—doubtless some prince Belikehath sent it to congratulate Your nights repose. A courtier matchless A'woes, and wins, more beauty's to his love Then all the kings on earth. This gentleman approaching I presume, Has more relation to his court then I, And comes in time t'informe you. O it is the man of might. O Done keep off at further distance yet A little farther, do you not observe How your strong breath hath terrifyd the Lady? Stand by then, without noise a while brave Done And let her only view your parts, they'le take her. I cannot doubt it, man. But hear them for your sport. Thats in Spanish And incorrigible rogue, without a fellow, And unmatchd rogue, he thinks we understand not. A crop-eared Scrivener. In proper sense a rascal—Oh brave Done. The Galleys and Bridewell. He blow up The Spaniard presently by his mother side. Fear not, sweet Lady. Why there's the point, Mine honour is my tutor too, Noble men Fight in their persons, scorn't, 'tis out of fashion, Theres none but harebrained youths of metal use it. And more to show your suffering valour, as her equal favours, you both should take a competence of kicks. Budge not, I charge ye, Till you have further leave. yet more, be gone, are not these precious suitors— A brace of Castrels, That flattered sir, about this lovely game your daughter, but they durst not give the souze And so took hedge. We are your servants. You are in all unfellowed, The times wonder. Gallant of gallants Genoa's Piero. I am no foot-post, No pedlar of Aviso's, no monopolist Of forged Corantos, monger of Gazets. Auria who lately Wedded and bedded to the same Spinella, Tired with the enjoyments of delights, is hasting to the Tur kish pirates, in the service of the great Duke of Florence. Leaves her to buffet Land pirates here at home. wicked Shameful and cowardly I will maintain. Hold thy peace man. It makes for us—he comes, lets partly demurely. Let few words Excuse all arts of compliment. Dexterity and sufferance, brave Done, Are Engines the pure politic must work with. Fitter for litters to convey hounds in, Then people christian yet herself—