stancy and devotion. For I do greatly love you, and would
tell you so.

_Nita._--And for that you expect me to linger! as though vows
were new to my ears, and words of love as strange to my
understanding as tropical birds to the eyes of a Norseman.

_Martino._--If you do love me, you will linger.

_Nita._--Yet if I do, (_Slowly advancing_) be assured it is
from some other motive than love.

_Martino._--So it be not from hate I am contented.

_Nita._--To be contented with little, proves you a man of much
virtue.

_Martino._--When I have you, I am contented with much.

_Nita._--That _when_ is a wise insertion, signior; it saves you
from shame and me from anger.--Hark! some one calls.

_Martino._--None other but the wind; it is a kindly breeze, and
grieves to hear how harsh a pretty maiden can be to the lover
who adores her.

_Nita._--Please your worship, I do not own a lover.

_Martino._--Then mend your poverty, and accept one.

_Nita._--I am no beggar to accept of alms.

_Martino._--In this case, he who offers is the beggar.

_Nita._--I am too young to wear a jewel of so much pretension.

_Martino._--Time is a cure for youth, and marriage a happy
speeder of time.

_Nita._--But youth needs no cure, and if marriage speedeth
time, I'll live a maid and die one. The days run swift enough
without goading, Signior Martino.

_Martino._--But lady--

_Nita._.--Nay, your tongue will outstrip time, if you put not a
curb upon it. In faith, signior, I would not seem rude, but if
in your courtesy you would consent to woo some other maiden
to-day, why I would strive and bear it.

_Martino._--When I stoop to woo any other lady than thee, the
moon shall hide its face from the earth, and shine upon it no
more.

_Nita._--Your thoughts are daring in their flight to-day.

_Martino._--They are in search of your love.

_Nita._--Alack, your wings will fail.

_Martino._--Ay, when they reach their goal.

_Nita._--Dost think to reach it?

_Martino._--Shall I not, lady?

_Nita._--'Tis hard to believe it possible, yet who can tell?
You are not so handsome, signior, that one would die for you.

_Martino._--No, lady; but what goes to make other men's faces
fair, goes to make my heart great. The virtue