Madam, I was very late more near her than I think she wished me
Steward
Madam, I was very late more near her than I
think she wished me. Alone she was and did
communicate to herself her own words to her own
ears; she thought, I dare vow for her, they touched
not any stranger sense. Her matter was she loved
your son. Fortune, she said, was no goddess, that
had put such difference betwixt their two estates;
Her matter was she loved your son
Love no god, that would not extend his might only
where qualities were level; Dian no queen of virgins,
that would suffer her poor knight surprised
without rescue in the first assault or ransom afterward.
This she delivered in the most bitter touch
of sorrow that e’er I heard virgin exclaim in, which
I held my duty speedily to acquaint you withal,
sithence in the loss that may happen it concerns
you something to know it.
Countess
You have discharged this honestly. Keep it
to yourself. Many likelihoods informed me of this
before, which hung so tott’ring in the balance that
I could neither believe nor misdoubt. Pray you
leave me. Stall this in your bosom, and I thank you
for your honest care. I will speak with you further anon.
Steward exits.