[_Exeunt_ PLOD-ALL _and his son_.

WILL CRICKET.
Well, clerk, you'll see this matter bravely performed; let it be
done as it should be.

CLERK.
I'll warrant ye; fear it not.

WILL CRICKET.
Why, then, go you to Sir John, and I'll to my wench, and bid her give
her maidenhead warning to prepare itself; for the destruction of it is
at hand.
[_Exeunt_.

_Enter_ LELIA _sola_.

LELIA.
How love and fortune both with eager mood,
Like greedy hounds, do hunt my tired heart,
Rous'd forth the thickets of my wonted joys!
And Cupid winds his shrill-note buglehorn,
For joy my silly heart so near is spent:
Desire, that eager cur, pursues the chase,
And fortune rides amain unto the fall;
Now sorrow sings, and mourning bears a part,
Playing harsh descant on my yielding heart.

_Enter_ NURSE.

Nurse, what news?

NURSE.
Faith, a whole sackful of news. You love Sophos, and Sophos loves you,
and Peter Plod-all loves you, and you love not him, and you love not
Master Churms, and he loves you; and so, here's love and no love, and I
love and I love not, and I cannot tell what; but of all and of all
Master Churms must be the man you must love.

LELIA.
Nay, first I'll mount me on the winged wind,
And fly for succour to the furthest Ind.
Must I love Master Churms?

NURSE.
Faith, you must, and you must not.

LELIA.
As how, I pray thee?

NURSE.
Marry, I have commendations to you.

LELIA.
From whom?

NURSE.
From your brother Fortunatus.

LELIA.
My brother Fortunatus!

NURSE.
No, from Sophos.

LELIA.
From my love?

NURSE.
No, from neither.

LELIA.
From neither?

NURSE.
Yes, from both.

LELIA.
Prythee, leave thy foolery, and let me know thy news.

NURSE.
Your brother Fortunatus and your love to-morrow night will meet you by
the forest-side, there to confer about I know not what: but it is like
that Sophos will make you of his privy council, before you come again.

LELIA.
Is Fortunatus then returned from the wars?

NURSE.
He is with Sophos every day: but in any case you must not let your
father know; for he hath sworn he will not be descried, until he have
effected your desires; for he swaggers and swears out of all cry, that
he will venture all,

Both fame and blood, and limb and life,
But Lelia shall be Sophos' wedded wife.

LELIA.
Alas! nurse, my father's jealous brain
Doth scarce allow me once a month to go
Beyond the compass of his w