[Enter ALICE, hastily.]
Alice. [Speaking to the outside.] Fly, Stephen, to the door! your rapier! quick! -Our master is beset, because of one Whose part he takes, a maid, whom lawless men Would lawlessly entreat! In what a world We live!--How do I shake!--with what address [Looking out of window.]
He lays about him, and his other arm Engaged, in charge of her whom he defends!
A damsel worth a broil!--Now, Stephen, now!
Take off the odds, brave lad, and turn the scale!
I would I were a swordsman! How he makes His rapier fly!--Well done!--O Heaven, there's blood.
But on the side that's wrong!--Well done, good Stephen!
Pray Heaven no life be ta'en!--Lay on, brave lad!
He has marked his man again. Good lad--Well done, I pray no mischief come!--Press on him, Stephen!
Now gives he ground.--Follow thy advantage up!
Allow no pause for breaths!--Hit him again!
Forbid it end in death!--Lounge home, good Stephen!
How fast he now retreats!--That spring, I'll swear, Was answer to thy point!--Well fenced!--Well fenced!
Now Heaven forefend it end in death!--He flies!
And from his comrade, the same moment, hath Our master jerked his sword--The day is ours!
Quick may they get a surgeon for their wounds, And I, a cordial for my fluttered spirits:
I vow, I'm nigh to swoon!
Wal. [Without.] Hoa! Alice! Hoa!
Open the door! Quick, Alice! Quick!
Alice. Anon!
Young joints take no thought of aged ones, But ever think them as supple as themselves.
Wal. Alice!
Alice. [Opening the door.] I'm here!--A mercy! -Is she dead?
[Enter MASTER WALLER, bearing LYDIA, fainting.]
Wal. No, she but faints.--A chair!--Quick, Alice, quick!
Water to bathe her temples.
[ALICE goes out.]
Such a turn Kind fortune never do me. Shall I kiss To life these frozen lips?--No!--of her plight 'Twere base to take advantage.
[ALICE returns, &c.]
All is well, The blood returns.
Alice. How wondrous fair she is!
Wal. Thou think'st her so?--No wonder then should I.
How say you?--Wondrous fair? [Aside.]
Alice. Yes; wondrous fair!
Harm never come to her! So sweet a thing 'Twere pity were abused!
Wal. You think her fair?
Alice. Ay, marry! Half so fair were more than match For fairest she e'er saw mine eyes before!
And what a form! A foot and instep there!
Vouchers of symmetry! A little foot And rising instep, from an ankle arching, A palm, and that a little one, might span.
Wal. Who taught thee thus?
Alice. Why who, but her, taught thee?
Thy mother!--Heaven rest her!--Thy good mother!
She could read men and women by their hands And feet!--And here's a hand!--A fairy palm!
Fingers that taper to the pinky tips, With nails of rose, like shells of such a hue, Berimmed with pearl, you pick up on the shore!
Save these the gloss and tint do wear without.
Wal. Why, how thou talk'st!
Alice. Did I not tell thee thus Thy mother used to talk? Such hand and foot, She would say, in man or woman vouched for nature High tempered!--Still for sentiment refined;Affection tender; apprehension quick - Degrees beyond the generality!
There is a marriage finger! Curse the hand Would balk it of a ring!
Wal. She's quite restored, Leave us!--Why cast'st thou that uneasy look?
Why linger'st thou? I'm not alone with her.
My honour's with her too. I would not wrong her.
Alice. And if thou wouldst, thou'rt not thy mother's son.
[Goes out.]
Wal. You are better?
Lydia. Much!--much!
Wal. Know you him who durst Attempt this violence in open day?
It seemed as he would force thee to his coach, I saw attending.
Lydia. Take this letter, sir, And send the answer--I must needs be gone.
Wal. [Throwing the letter away.] I read no letter!
Tell me, what of him I saw offend thee?
Lydia. He hath often met me, And by design I think, upon the street, And tried to win mine ear, which ne'er he got Save only by enforcement. Presents--gifts -Of jewels and of gold to wild amount, To win an audience, hath he proffered me;Until, methought, my silence--for my lips Disdained reply were question was a wrong -Had wearied him. Oh, sir, whate'er of life Remains to me I had foregone, ere proved The horror of this hour!--and you it is That have protected me?
Wal. Oh, speak not on't!
Lydia. You that have saved me from mine enemy -Wal. I pray you to forget it.
