[Act III, Scene v]

Enter GRIMALDI

GRIMALDI
Now if the Doctor keep his word, Soranzo,
Twenty to one you miss your bride. I know
’Tis an unnoble act, and not becomes
A soldier’s valour; but in terms of love,
Where merit cannot sway, policy must.	5
I am resolved: if this physician
Play not on both hands, then Soranzo falls.
Enter RICHARDETTO [disguised as the Doctor, with a box]
RICHARDETTO
You are come as I could wish. This very night
Soranzo, ’tis ordained, must be affied
To Annabella, and for aught I know,	10
Married.

GRIMALDI How!
RICHARDETTO Yet your patience:
The place, ’tis Friar Bonaventure’s cell.
Now I would wish you to bestow this night
In watching thereabouts. ’Tis but a night.
If you miss now! Tomorrow I’ll know all.	15
GRIMALDI
Have you the poison?
RICHARDETTO                    Here ’tis in this box.
Doubt nothing, this will do’t; in any case,
As you respect your life, be quick and sure.
GRIMALDI
I’ll speed him.
RICHARDETTO Do. Away, for ’tis not safe
You should be seen much here. Ever my love.	20
GRIMALDI
And mine to you.                                                            Exit
RICHARDETTO
So, if this hit, I’ll laugh and hug revenge,
And they that now dream of a wedding-feast
May chance to mourn the lusty bridegroom’s ruin.
But to my other business:	25
[Calls] Niece Philotis!
Enter PHILOTIS
PHILOTIS                          Uncle?
RICHARDETTO                           My lovely niece,
You have bethought ’ee?
PHILOTIS                    Yes, and, as you counselled,
Fashioned my heart to love him; but he swears
He will tonight be married, for he fears
His uncle else, if he should know the drift,	30
Will hinder all, and call his coz to shrift.

RICHARDETTO
Tonight? Why, best of all. But let me see,
I – ha – yes, – so it shall be: in disguise
We’ll early to the Friar’s, I have thought on’t.

Enter BERGETTO and POGGIO

PHILOTIS
Uncle, he comes.
RICHARDETTO          Welcome, my worthy coz.	35
BERGETTO
Lass, pretty lass; come buss, lass. [Kisses her] Aha, Poggio!
PHILOTIS
There’s hope of this yet.
RICHARDETTO
You shall have time enough. Withdraw a little:
We must confer at large.
BERGETTO
[To PHILOTIS] Have you not sweetmeats, or dainty devices	40
for me?
PHILOTIS
You shall enough, sweetheart.
BERGETTO
Sweetheart! Mark that, Poggio. By my troth, I cannot choose
but kiss thee once more for that word ‘sweetheart’. [Kisses her]

Poggio, I have a monstrous swelling about my stomach,	45
whatsoever the matter be.
POGGIO
You shall have physic for’t, sir.
RICHARDETTO
Time runs apace.
BERGETTO
Time’s a blockhead! [Kisses her]
RICHARDETTO
Be ruled: when we have done what’s fit to do,	50
Then you may kiss your fill, and bed her too.                   Exeunt