[Act III, Scene iv]

Enter FLORIO and RICHARDETTO [disguised as the Doctor]

FLORIO

 

And how d’ee find her, sir?

 

RICHARDETTO                       Indifferent well:

 

I see no danger, scarce perceive she’s sick,

 

But that she told me she had lately eaten

 

Melons, and as she thought, those disagreed

 

With her young stomach.

 

FLORIO                              Did you give her aught?

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RICHARDETTO

 

An easy surfeit-water, nothing else.

 

You need not doubt her health; I rather think

 

Her sickness is a fullness of her blood –

 

You understand me?

 

FLORIO                              I do – you counsel well-

 

And once within these few days will so order’t

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She shall be married, ere she know the time.

 

RICHARDETTO

 

Yet let not haste, sir, make unworthy choice:

 

That were dishonour.

 

FLORIO                              Master Doctor, no,

 

I will not do so neither. In plain words,

 

My lord Soranzo is the man I mean.

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RICHARDETTO

 

A noble and a virtuous gentleman.

 

FLORIO

 

As any is in Parma. Not far hence

 

Dwells Father Bonaventure, a grave friar,

 

Once tutor to my son; now at his cell

 

I’ll have ’em married.

 

RICHARDETTO                    You have plotted wisely.

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FLORIO

 

I’ll send one straight to speak with him tonight.

 

RICHARDETTO

 

Soranzo’s wise, he will delay no time.

 

FLORIO

 

It shall be so.

 

Enter FRIAR and GIOVANNI

FRIAR       Good peace be here and love!

 

FLORIO

 

Welcome, religious friar, you are one

 

That still bring blessing to the place you come to.

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GIOVANNI

 

Sir, with what speed I could, I did my best

 

To draw this holy man from forth his cell

 

To visit my sick sister, that with words

 

Of ghostly comfort in this time of need

 

He might absolve her, whether she live or die.

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FLORIO

 

’Twas well done, Giovanni: thou herein

 

Hast showed a Christian’s care, a brother’s love.

 

[To the FRIAR] Come, father, I’ll conduct you to her chamber,

 

And one thing would entreat you.

 

FRIAR                                            Say on, sir.

 

FLORIO

 

I have a father’s dear impression,

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And wish, before I fall into my grave,

 

That I might see her married, as ’tis fit.

 

A word from you, grave man, will win her more

 

Than all our best persuasions.

 

FRIAR                              Gentle sir,

 

All this I’ll say, that Heaven may prosper her.        Exeunt

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