But Master Walter,
These nuptials!--must they needs go on?

Servant. [Entering.] More guests
Arrive.

_Wal_. Attend to them. [Servant goes out.]

_Julia_. Dear Master Walter!
Is there no way to escape these nuptials?

_Wal_. Know'st not
What with these nuptials comes? Hast thou forgot?

_Julia_. What?

_Wal_. Nothing!--I did tell thee of a thing.

_Julia_. What was it?

_Wal_. To forget it was a fault!
Look back and think.

_Julia_. I can't remember it.

_Wal_. Fathers, make straws your children! Nature's nothing,
Blood nothing! Once in other veins it runs,
It no more yearneth for the parent flood,
Than doth the stream that from the source disparts.
Talk not of love instinctive--what you call so
Is but the brat of custom! Your own flesh
By habit cleaves to you--without,
Hath no adhesion. [Aside.] So; you have forgot
You have a father, and are here to meet him!

_Julia_. I'll not deny it.

_Wal_. You should blush for't.

_Julia_. No!
No! no: hear, Master Walter! what's a father
That you've not been to me? Nay, turn not from me,
For at the name a holy awe I own,
That now almost inclines my knee to earth!
But thou to me, except a father's name,
Hast all the father been: the care--the love--
The guidance--the protection of a father.
Canst wonder, then, if like thy child I feel,--
And feeling so, that father's claim forget
Whom ne'er I knew save by the name of one?
Oh, turn to me, and do not chide me! or
If thou wilt chide, chide on! but turn to me!

_Wal_. [Struggling with emotion.] My Julia!
[Embraces her.]

_Julia_. Now, dear Master Walter, hear me!
Is there no way to 'scape these nuptials?

_Wal_. Julia,
A promise made admits not of release,
Save by consent or forfeiture of those
Who hold it--so it should be pondered well
Before we let it go. Ere man should say
I broke the word I had the power to keep,
I'd lose the life I had the power to part with!
Remember, Julia, thou and I to-day
Must, to thy father, of thy training render
A strict account. While honour's left to us,
We have something--nothing, having all but that.
Now for thy last act of obedience, Julia!
Present thyself before thy bridegroom! [She assents.] Good!
My Julia's now herself! Show him thy heart,
And to his honour leave't to set thee free
Or hold thee bound. Thy father will be by!

SCENE III.--The Banqueting' Room.

[Enter MASTER WALTER and MASTER HEARTWELL.]

_Heart_. Thank