ACT III.

SCENE I.—­The Front of the Nunnery.

ASCANIO, and HIPPOLITA, at the Grate.

Hip. I see you have kept touch, brother.

Asca. As a man of honour ought, sister, when he is challenged.  And now, according to the laws of duel, the next thing is to strip, and, instead of seconds, to search one another.

Hip. We will strip our hands, if you please, brother; for they are the only weapons we must use.

Asca. That were to invite me to my loss, sister; I could have made a full meal in the world, and you would have me take up with hungry commons in the cloyster.  Pray mend my fare, or I am gone.

Hip. O, brother, a hand in a cloyster is fare like flesh in Spain; ’tis delicate, because ’tis scarce.  You may be satisfied with a hand, as well as I am pleased with the courtship of a boy.

Asca. You may begin with me, sister, as Milo did; by carrying a calf first, you may learn to carry an ox hereafter.  In the mean time produce your hand, I understand nun’s flesh better than you imagine:  Give it me, you shall see how I will worry it. [She gives her hand.] Now could not we thrust out our lips, and contrive a kiss too?

Hip. Yes, we may; but I have had the experience of it:  It will be but half flesh, half iron.

Asca. Let’s try, however.

Hip. Hold, Lucretia’s here.

Asca. Nay, If you come with odds upon me, ’tis time to call seconds.
          
                                            [ASCANIO hems.

The Prince and LUCRETIA appear.

Luc. Sir, though your song was pleasant, yet there was one thing amiss in it,—­that was, your rallying of religion.

Fred. Do you speak well of my friend Love, and I’ll try to speak well of your friend Devotion.

Luc. I can never speak well of love:  ’Twas to avoid it that I entered here.

Fred. Then, madam, you have met your man; for, to confess the truth to you, I have but counterfeited love, to try you; for I never yet could love any woman:  and, since I have seen you, and do not, I am certain now I shall ’scape for ever.

Luc. You are the best man in the world, if you continue this resolution.  Pray, then, let us vow solemnly these two things:  the first, to esteem each other better than we do all the world besides; the next, never to change our amity to love.

Fred. Agreed, madam.  Shall I kiss your hand on it?

Luc. That is too like a lover; or if it were not, the narrowness of the grate will excuse the ceremony.

Hip. No, but it will not, to my knowledge:  I have tried every bar many a fair time over; and at last have found out one, where a hand may get through, and be gallanted.