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So, gentle maid, your martial visitor Retreats right speedily. How fortunate, To meet so opportunely at the gate A prudent friend, to tell him what, perhaps, May save his bones, although it damp his pleasure! Nay, smile not: I commend thee in good earnest. Thou art a prudent maid, endow'd with virtues That suit thy station. This is ample praise.

Ample; and spoken too with meaning tones. What face is this thou wear'st of sly significance? Go to! thou dup'st thyself with too much shrewdness; And canst not see what plainly lies before thee, Because thou aim'st at seeing more. I'll in, And bear Tortona's greeting to my Lord And to his Countess.

Do; and give it all— The message and its postscript: words of audience, And those of gentle whisper following after. Let nothing be forgotten.

Nothing shall.