SCENE II.--_Near the Castle of the_ COUNTESS OF ARRAN.

_Enter the_ COUNTESS OF ARRAN, IDA _and_ EUSTACE.

_Count. of A._ Lord Eustace, as your youth and virtuous life Deserve a far more fair and richer wife, So, since I am a mother, and do wit What wedlock is, and that which 'longs to it, Before I mean my daughter to bestow, 'Twere meet that she and I your state did know.

_Eust._ Madam, if I consider Ida's worth, I know my portions merit none so fair, And yet I hold in farm and yearly rent A thousand pound, which may her state content.

_Count. of A._ But what estate, my lord, shall she possess?

_Eust._ All that is mine, grave countess, and no less.-- But, Ida, will you love?

_Ida._ I cannot hate.

_Eust._ But will you wed?

_Ida._ 'Tis Greek to me, my lord: I'll wish you well, and thereon take my word.

_Eust._ Shall I some sign of favour, then, receive?

_Ida._ Ay, if her ladyship will give me leave.

_Count. of A._ Do what thou wilt.

_Ida._ Then, noble English peer, Accept this ring, wherein my heart is set; A constant heart, with burning flames be-fret, But under-written this, _O morte dura_: Hereon whenso you look with eyes _pura_, The maid you fancy most will favour you.

_Eust._ I'll try this heart, in hope to find it true.

_Enter certain_ Huntsmen _and_ Ladies.

_First Hunts._ Widow countess, well y-met;[278] Ever may thy joys be many;-- Gentle Ida, fair beset, Fair and wise, not fairer any; Frolic huntsmen of the game Will you well, and give you greeting.

_Ida._ Thanks, good woodman, for the same, And our sport, and merry meeting.

_First Hunts._ Unto thee we do present Silver hart with arrow wounded.

_Eust._ [_aside_]. This doth shadow my lament, [With] both fear and love confounded.

_Ladies._ To the mother of the maid, Fair as the lilies, red as roses, Even so many goods are said, As herself in heart supposes.

_Count. of A._ What are you, friends, that thus do wish us well?

_First Hunts._ Your neighbours nigh, that have on hunting been, Who, understanding of your walking forth, Prepar'd this train to entertain you with: This Lady Douglas, this Sir Egmond is.

_Count. of A._ Welcome, ye ladies, and thousand thanks for this. Come, enter you a homely widow's house, And if mine entertainment please you, let us feast.

_First Hunts._ A lovely lady never wants a guest. [_Exeunt_ COUNTESS OF ARRAN, Huntsmen, _and_ Ladies.

_Eust._ Stay, gentle Ida, tell me what you deem, What doth this hart, this tender hart beseem?

_Ida._ Why not, my lord, since nature teacheth art To senseless beasts to cure their grievous smart; Dictamnum[279] serves to close the wound again.

_Eust._ What help for those that love?

_Ida._ Why, love again.

_Eust._ Were I the hart,--

_Ida._ Then I the herb would be: You shall not die for help; come, follow me. [_Exeunt._