_F._ Hark now what you have to do. Cross the grass silently, unlock my door, creep upstairs like a thief, and sit in my chamber without a movement till I come.
_T._ The grass is like a sponge. I have begun to catch cold already: I am just going to sneeze.
_T._ Is this your treatment for all my services?
_F._ Your service is your duty to obey: And once you served me well: of late you are grown Questionous and prying; which I have so far borne, Because I have been in doubt whether it were best To thrash you or discharge you.
_T._ And no wonder neither. Thus the world will repay devotion. Can I see you so blind to your good fortune, and when heaven’s door stands open....
_T._ This court, wherein you serve and get no thanks, You might rule and be thanked.
_F._ Just as I thought; Ere I dismiss you I shall tell the Countess Your insolence. The whipping you will get Will save me trouble.
_F._ Get up, fool, lest you sneeze. And would you escape Your rich deservings, be off. 929
_T._ Betray me not, sir: I will obey you better.
_F._ Silence: go do as I bid you. Begone, and take your boots. [_Exit T._ So my man knows her secret. ’Tis high time That Laura and I were off. This salves my conscience From any scruple. ’Tis a rule of art To make obstructions serve: and my chief hindrance, Diana’s passion, can but urge me on. So the mischance, which drew me hence to-night, Hath brought me hither a more secret way. The night is still. I would there were a wind. And there’s the clock. (_Clock strikes._) I’ll wait Till it hath sounded.... No light.... I’ll tap. 941
(_Goes to window and taps. Laura comes to window and opens._)
_F._ I escaped but with a thousand torments— May I come in?
_F._ The night Is very still, our voices will be heard: They run along the wall.
_L._ The maids are all abed. There’s none to see us; and the moon is clouded. We’ll walk by the yew hedge. Give me your hand.
_L._ O Frederick, 950 You have broken your own rule, and kissed me thrice.
_F._ One kiss a day, with two days in arrear, Makes three.
_L._ Alas! I thought ’twas love’s excess, And still I am kissed by rule.
_F._ And be content, love, To keep the little rules we make ourselves, Since thou must break such great ones; and canst dare Deceive the Countess, disobey thy father, And brave the world’s opinion: all which sins I come to stablish in thee. There’s now no choice But fly with me or take St. Nicholas. 960