SCENE III.--_An Apartment in_ BELFOREST'S _Mansion_.

_Enter_ CASTABELLA _avoiding the importunity of_ ROUSARD.

_Cast._ Nay, good sir; in troth, if you knew how little it pleases me, you would forbear it.

_Rous._ I will not leave thee till thou'st entertained me for thy servant.

_Cast._ My servant! You are sick you say. You would tax me of indiscretion to entertain one that is not able to do me service.

_Rous._ The service of a gentlewoman consists most in chamber work, and sick men are fittest for the chamber. I prithee give me a favour.

_Cast._ Methinks you have a very sweet favour of your own.

_Rous._ I lack but your black eye.

_Cast._ If you go to buffets among the boys, they'll give you one.

_Rous._ Nay, if you grow bitter I'll dispraise your black eye. The gray-eyed morning makes the fairest day.

_Cast._ Now that you dissemble not, I could be willing to give you a favour. What favour would you have?

_Rous._ Any toy, any light thing.

_Cast._ Fie! Will you be so uncivil to ask a light thing at a gentlewoman's hand?

_Rous._ Wilt give me a bracelet o' thy hair then?

_Cast._ Do you want hair, sir.

_Rous._ No, faith, I'll want no hair, so long as I can have it for money.

_Cast._ What would you do with my hair then?

_Rous._ Wear it for thy sake, sweetheart.

_Cast._ Do you think I love to have my hair worn off?

_Rous._ Come, you are so witty now and so sensible. [_Kisses her._

_Cast._ Tush, I would I wanted one o' my senses now!

_Rous._ Bitter again? What's that? Smelling?

_Cast._ No, no, no. Why now y'are satisfied, I hope. I have given you a favour.

_Rous._ What favour? A kiss? I prithee give me another.

_Cast._ Show me that I gave it you then.

_Rous._ How should I show it?

_Cast._ You are unworthy of a favour if you will not bestow the keeping of it one minute.

_Rous._ Well, in plain terms, dost love me? That's the purpose of my coming.

_Cast._ Love you? Yes, very well.

_Rous._ Give me thy hand upon't.

_Cast._ Nay, you mistake me. If I love you very well I must not love you now. For now y'are not very well, y'are sick.

_Rous._ This equivocation is for the jest now.

_Cast._ I speak't as 'tis now in fashion, in earnest. But I shall not be in quiet for you, I perceive, till I have given you a favour. Do you love me?

_Rous._ With all my heart.

_Cast._ Then with all my heart I'll give you a jewel to hang in your ear.--Hark ye--I can never love you. [_Exit._

_Rous._ Call you this a jewel to hang in mine ear? 'Tis no light favour, for I'll be sworn it comes somewhat heavily to me. Well, I will not leave her for all this. Methinks it animates a man to stand to't, when a woman desires to be rid of him at the first sight. [_Exit._