Enter Antonio and Lucio.
Antonio. I fear me they are unprepared
To house of guests so large a troop,
And our coming is so sudden too.
Lucio. Is it not better, sir,
That unadvised we come.
Antonio. Tamar, Tamar!
Tamar. Why, 'tis my lord Antonio, on my life.
Antonio. Knows not your father of our coming?
Tamar. The news of this brave wedding travels quick,
He doth approve, our only fear
'Tis somewhat hurried.
Antonio. 'Tis by prevision that I do forestall
The foot of Time, I'm somewhat aged,
And Dorotea very young, but if delay
Prescribes a single year, our wedding day
Might never dawn.
I should most willingly have advised
You of our coming in such haste,
But as ourbrother did command
That Dorotea should come hence to-day.
Tamar. Perhaps he was wise, for she who weds
An aged grey-hair'd spouse, most surely looks
On brisk and black-hair'd youths as better cooks.
Antonio. Am I so very old, good Tamar, then?
Tamar. No, no, not very old; but if you scan
Your face before a mirror, then you can
Find some fair show of frosted hairs.
Antonio. Go, Tamar, go, and all things have prepared.
Tamar (apart.) Do but to an old fool speak of age,
He loses brains and temper, I'll engage. [Exit.
Antonio. Go, Lucio, see if all our friends be housed.
