_R._ Ah, Frederick: on so short acquaintance How can I judge?
_D._ You have a faculty 1231 Of observation, which I am pleased to prove: Besides, since you are a stranger,—as you note Our clocks,—your eyes, no doubt, while yet they are fresh, Will pounce upon a thousand little things, Which we are blind to, seeing every day. Tell me your first impression.
_R._ Your ladyship Would never task me thus, but in security Of finding perfect praise. I’ll rather think You ask me my opinion, as do poets, 1240 To judge of my capacity.
_D._ Nay, nay. Nor will I force your flattery. Speak your mind. I hold him not in wondrous estimation. What of his person?
_R._ He has a good deportment, Yet stoops a little.
_D._ You have a soldier’s eye. He is tall, and hath the scholar’s negligence. A martial stiffness were much out of place.
_R._ True: and his open grace seems less a manner Than very nature; being itself unlinked With any distant bearing.
_D._ Now you teach me. 1250 You might have known him long to hit him so. Have you talked with him much?
_R._ Enough to prove him A most ingenious gentleman.
_D._ Ah!—ingenious! Ingenious;—that is a doubtful word. You do not mean contriving?
_Enter F. and T. in their travelling costume as before._
_R._ See, madam: ’tis he that comes. (_Aside._) Her love is but a fancy; else would she never Provoke discussion on him, and seek to praise him.—
_D._ Frederick: returned so soon!—miraculous. Such expedition. Thou canst scarce have rested. ’Tis two hours ere thy time.
’Twas my good fortune 1260 To meet no hindrance.
_D._ But thy health, good servant; Thy sickness?
_F._ Madam, let my quick despatch Bury my late reluctance. I confess I was unreasonable. Indeed, the journey Hath quite restored my spirits.
_D._ Yes, so it seems. I hoped that it might be so. Hast thou my answer?
_D._ Thou must have roused the Duke from sleep.
_F._ ’Twas such an hour as one might look to find A duke a-bed.
_D._ And he was not? Pray, tell us Exactly how he was employed.
_F._ I chanced 1270 To find him banqueting in merry company; Such as make war on night, and march their force Across the frontier, for a long campaign In the enemy’s country.
_D._ (_to R._). Banqueting, you hear. And at that hour.