No More Learning

HOST Fear not, I will obey you;--but One so young,
And One so fair, it goes against my heart
That you should travel unattended, Lady! --
I have a palfrey and a groom: the lad
Shall squire you, (would it not be better, Sir? )
And for less fee than I would let him run
For any lady I have seen this twelvemonth.


IDONEA You know, Sir, I have been too long your guard
Not to have learnt to laugh at little fears.
Why, if a wolf should leap from out a thicket,
A look of mine would send him scouring back,
Unless I differ from the thing I am
When you are by my side.


HERBERT Idonea, wolves
Are not the enemies that move my fears.


IDONEA No more, I pray, of this. Three days at farthest
Will bring me back--protect him, Saints--farewell!


[Exit IDONEA. ]


HOST 'Tis never drought with us--St. Cuthbert and his Pilgrims,
Thanks to them, are to us a stream of comfort:
Pity the Maiden did not wait awhile;
She could not, Sir, have failed of company.


HERBERT Now she is gone, I fain would call her back.


HOST (calling) Holla!


HERBERT No, no, the business must be done. --
What means this riotous noise?
HOST The villagers
Are flocking in--a wedding festival--
That's all--God save you, Sir.


[Enter OSWALD]


OSWALD Ha! as I live,
The Baron Herbert.


HOST Mercy, the Baron Herbert!


OSWALD So far into your journey! on my life,
You are a lusty Traveller. But how fare you?


HERBERT Well as the wreck I am permits. And you, Sir?


OSWALD I do not see Idonea.


HERBERT Dutiful Girl,
She is gone before, to spare my weariness.
But what has brought you hither?


OSWALD A slight affair,
That will be soon despatched.


HERBERT Did Marmaduke
Receive that letter?


OSWALD Be at peace. --The tie
Is broken, you will hear no more of _him_.