_Luis._ Oh, months ago, and since no tidings heard, In spite of all inquiry. But we will hope. Meanwhile, Serafina—when will she be here?
_Luis._ Go then, Tell her from me— I go not forth to bid her welcome, only That I may make that welcome sure at home.
_Luis._ What! another ‘_But_’? No more of that. Away with you.—Porcia!
Daughter, you know (I have repeated it A thousand times, I think) the obligation I owe Don Juan Roca.
_Porcia._ Sir, indeed I’ve often heard you talk of him.
_Luis._ Then listen. He and his wife are coming here to-day— Directly.
_Luis._ Yes. To be our guests, till they set sail for Spain; I trust long first—
_Por._ That Serafina, So long my playmate, shall be now my guest.
_Luis._ Ay! I forgot—that’s well, too— Let us be rivals in their entertainment. See that the servants, Porcia, dress their rooms As speedily and handsomely as may be.
_Por._ What haste can do (which brings its own excuse) I’ll do—’tis long a proverb hereabout That you are Entertainer-general, Rather than Governor, of Naples.
_Luis._ Ay, I like to honour all who come this way.
_Leonelo._ Peace to this house!—and not only that, but a story beside.—A company of soldiers coming to a certain village, a fellow of the place calls out for two to be billeted on him. ‘What!’ says a neighbour, ‘you want a double share of what every one else tries to shirk altogether?’ ‘Yes,’ says he, ‘for the more nuisance they are while they stay, the more glad one is of their going.’ In illustration of which, and also of my master’s orders, I crave your Lordship’s hand, and your Ladyship’s foot, to kiss.
_Luis._ Welcome, good Leonelo. I was afraid I had overlooked you in receiving your master.
_Por._ And how does marriage agree with you, Leonelo?
_Leon._ One gentleman asked another to dine; but such an ill-ordered dinner that the capon was cold, and the wine hot. Finding which, the guest dips a leg of the capon into the wine. And when his host asks him what he’s about—‘Only making the wine heat the capon, and the capon cool the wine,’ says he. Now just this happened in my marriage. My wife was rather too young, and I rather too old; so, as it is hoped—
_Por._ Foolery, foolery, always!—tell me how Serafina is—
_Leon._ A very sufficient one—since a coach includes happiness, pride, and (a modern author says) respectability.