Fab. Pray be content;

   I dare not do it. Have this castle's walls

   Hous'd thee nine years, and, art thou yet to learn

   The temper of the count? Serv'd and obey'd,

   There lives not one more gracious, liberal;

   Offend him, and his rage is terrible;

   I'd rather play with serpents. But, fair Jaqueline,

   Setting aside the comeliness and grace

   Of this young rustic, which, I own, are rare,

   And baits to catch all women, pr'ythee tell,

   Why are you thus solicitous to see him?

 Jaq. In me, 'twere base to be indifferent:

   He was my life's preserver, nay, preserv'd

[pg 20]

[pg 20]

   A life more precious: yes, my dear young mistress!

   But for his aid, the eternal sleep of death

   Had clos'd the sweetest eyes that ever beam'd.

   Aloof, and frighted, stood her coward train,

   And saw a furious band of desperate slaves,

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