Scene III

This is the air; that is the glorious sun;
This pearl she gave me, I do feel’t and see’t;
And though ’tis wonder that enwraps me thus,
Yet ’tis not madness. Where’s Antonio, then?
I could not find him at the Elephant:
Yet there he was; and there I found this credit,
That he did range the town to seek me out.
His counsel now might do me golden service;
For though my soul disputes well with my sense,
That this may be some error, but no madness,
Yet doth this accident and flood of fortune
So far exceed all instance, all discourse,
That I am ready to distrust mine eyes
And wrangle with my reason that persuades me
To any other trust but that I am mad
Or else the lady’s mad; yet, if ’twere so,
She could not sway her house, command her followers,
Take and give back affairs and their dispatch
With such a smooth, discreet and stable bearing
As I perceive she does: there’s something in’t
That is deceiveabledeceptive or liable to mislead. But here the lady comes.

Blame not this haste of mine. If you mean well,
Now go with me and with this holy man
Into the chantrya chapel set aside for prayers for the dead by: there, before him,
And underneath that consecrated roof,
Plightsolemnly pledge or promise me the full assurance of your faith;
That my most jealous and too doubtful soul
May live at peace. He shall conceal it
Whiles you are willing it shall come to note,
What time we will our celebration keep
According to my birth. What do you say?

I’ll follow this good man, and go with you;
And, having sworn truth, ever will be true.

Then lead the way, good father; and heavens so shine,
That they may fairly note this act of mine! Exeunt.