ratched.

CECCO: Yet shrews do not scratch serpents.

GIULIA: If they're caught
Where they can neither coil nor strike?

CECCO: Well, _I_
Begin to coil.

GIULIA: And I'll begin to scotch
You ere 'tis done.--Give me the postern key.

CECCO: Your lady's voice--but you are not your lady.

GIULIA: And were I you not long would be your lord's.
Give me the key.

CECCO: I coil--I coil! will soon
Be ready for a strike, my tender shrew.

GIULIA: Does the duke know you've hidden from his ear
Antonio's passion? does he?--ah?--and shall
I tell him? ah?

CECCO: You heard then----

GIULIA: He likes well
What's kept so thriftily.

CECCO (_scowling_): You want the key
To let in Boro to chuck your baby face
And moon with you! He's been discharged--take care.

GIULIA: The duke might learn, too, you're not clear between
His ducats and your own.

CECCO: There then (_gives key_), but----

GIULIA (_as he goes_): Oh?
And shrews do not scratch serpents? You may spy,
But others are not witless, I can tell you!
(_CECCO goes_.
Now, Naldo (_gives him key and writing_), do not lose the
writing. But
Should you, he must not come till two. For 'tis
At twelve the Greek will meet Antonio.

(_NALDO goes, through the postern: GIULIA to the castle._

_Enter HELENA and PAULA from another part of the gardens._

HELENA: At twelve, said he, at twelve, beside the arbor?

PAULA: Yes, mistress.

HELENA: I were patient if the moon
Would slip less sadly up. She is so pale--
With longing for Endymion her lover.

PAULA: Has she a lover? Oh, how strange. Is it
So sweet to love, my lady? I have heard
Men die and women for it weep themselves
Into the grave--yet gladly.

HELENA: Sweet? Ah, yes,
To terror! for the edge of fate cares not
How quick it severs.

PAULA: On my simple hills
They told of one who slew herself on her
Dead lover's breast. Would you do so?
Would you, my lady?

HELENA: There's no twain in love.
My heart is in my lord Antonio's
To beat, Paula, or cease with it.

PAULA: But died
He far away?

HELENA: Far