Act 4, Scene III

SCENE III. The Florentine camp.

Enter the two French Lords and some two or three Soldiers
First Lord
You have not given him his mother's letter?

Second Lord
I have delivered it an hour since: there is
something in't that stings his nature; for on the
reading it he changed almost into another man.

First Lord
He has much worthy blame laid upon him for shaking
off so good a wife and so sweet a lady.

Second Lord
Especially he hath incurred the everlasting
displeasure of the king, who had even tuned his
bounty to sing happiness to him. I will tell you a
thing, but you shall let it dwell darkly with you.

First Lord
When you have spoken it, 'tis dead, and I am the
grave of it.

Second Lord
He hath perverted a young gentlewoman here in
Florence, of a most chaste renown; and this night he
fleshes his will in the spoil of her honour: he hath
given her his monumental ring, and thinks himself
made in the unchaste composition.

First Lord
Now, God delay our rebellion! as we are ourselves,
what things are we!

Second Lord
Merely our own traitors. And as in the common course
of all treasons, we still see them reveal
themselves, till they attain to their abhorred ends,
so he that in this action contrives against his own
nobility, in his proper stream o'erflows himself.

First Lord
Is it not meant damnable in us, to be trumpeters of
our unlawful intents? We shall not then have his
company to-night?

Second Lord
Not till after midnight; for he is dieted to his hour.

First Lord
That approaches apace; I would gladly have him see
his company anatomized, that he might take a measure
of his own judgments, wherein so curiously he had
set this counterfeit.

Second Lord
We will not meddle with him till he come; for his
presence must be the whip of the other.

First Lord
In the mean time, what hear you of these wars?

Second Lord
I hear there is an overture of peace.

First Lord
Nay, I assure you, a peace concluded.

Second Lord
What will Count Rousillon do then? will he travel
higher, or return again into France?

First Lord
I perceive, by this demand, you are not altogether
of his council.

Second Lord
Let it be forbid, sir; so should I be a great deal
of his act.

First Lord
Sir, his wife some two months since fled from his
house: her pretence is a pilgrimage to Saint Jaques
le Grand; which holy undertaking with most austere
sanctimony she accomplished; and, there residing the
tenderness of her nature became as a prey to her
grief; in fine, made a groan of her last breath, and