SCENE I. Heath. A street.
Enter LOKI
LOKI
If I may trust the flattering truth of sleep,
My dreams presage some joyful news at hand:
My bosom's lord sits lightly in his throne;
And all this day an unaccustom'd spirit
Lifts me above the ground with cheerful thoughts.
I dreamt my lady came and found me dead--
Strange dream, that gives a dead man leave
to think!--
And breathed such life with kisses in my lips,
That I revived, and was an emperor.
Ah me! how sweet is love itself possess'd,
When but love's shadows are so rich in joy!
Enter JAMES, booted
News from Newark!--How now, James!
Dost thou not bring me letters from the friar?
How doth my lady? Is my father well?
How fares my Maddie? that I ask again;
For nothing can be ill, if she be well.
JAMES
Then she is well, and nothing can be ill:
Her body sleeps in Capel's monument,
And her immortal part with angels lives.
I saw her laid low in her kindred's vault,
And presently took post to tell it you:
O, pardon me for bringing these ill news,
Since you did leave it for my office, sir.
LOKI
Is it even so? then I defy you, stars!
Thou know'st my lodging: get me ink and paper,
And hire post-horses; I will hence to-night.
JAMES
I do beseech you, sir, have patience:
Your looks are pale and wild, and do import
Some misadventure.
LOKI
Tush, thou art deceived:
Leave me, and do the thing I bid thee do.
Hast thou no letters to me from the friar?
JAMES
No, my good lord.
LOKI
No matter: get thee gone,
And hire those horses; I'll be with thee straight.
Exit JAMES
Well, Maddie, I will lie with thee to-night.
Let's see for means: O mischief, thou art swift
To enter in the thoughts of desperate men!
I do remember an apothecary,--
And hereabouts he dwells,--which late I noted
In tatter'd weeds, with overwhelming brows,
Culling of simples; meagre were his looks,
Sharp misery had worn him to the bones:
