Page 176 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

Enter Simonides, reading of a letter, at one door. The Knights meet him.

FIRST KNIGHT
Good morrow to the good Simonides.

SIMONIDES
Knights, from my daughter this I let you know,
That for this twelvemonth she’ll not undertake
A married life.

Her reason to herself is only known, [5]
Which from her by no means can I get.

SECOND KNIGHT
May we not get access to her, my lord?

SIMONIDES
Faith, by no means. She hath so strictly
Tied her to her chamber, that ’tis impossible.

One twelve moons more she’ll wear Diana’s livery. [10]
This by the eye of Cynthia hath she vowed
And on her virgin honour will not break it.

THIRD KNIGHT
Loath to bid farewell, we take our leaves.
Exeunt Knights.

SIMONIDES
So, they are well dispatched.
Now to my daughter’s letter. [15]
She tells me here she’ll wed the stranger knight,
Or never more to view nor day nor light.

‘Tis well, mistress, your choice agrees with mine.
I like that well. Nay, how absolute she’s in’t,
Not minding whether I dislike or no. [20]
Well, I do commend her choice,

And will no longer have it be delayed.
Soft, here he comes; I must dissemble it.