If none can avouch any confirmed
relation of her intent, use justice, my lord, it is the glory of a
king, and let her live in your wonted favor; for if you banish her,
myself, as copartner of her hard fortunes, will participate in exile
some part of her extremities."
Torismond, at this speech of Alinda, covered his face with such a
frown, as tyranny seemed to sit triumphant in his forehead, and
checked her up[1] with such taunts, as made the lords, that only were
hearers, to tremble.
[Footnote 1: stopped.]
"Proud girl," quoth he, "hath my looks made thee so light of tongue,
or my favors encouraged thee to be so forward, that thou darest
presume to preach after thy father? Hath not my years more experience
than thy youth, and the winter of mine age deeper insight into civil
policy, than the prime[1] of thy flourishing days? The old lion avoids
the toils, where the young one leaps into the net: the care of age is
provident and foresees much: suspicion is a virtue, where a man holds
his enemy in his bosom. Thou, fond girl, measurest all by present
affection, and as thy heart loves, thy thoughts censure[2]; but if
thou knowest that in liking Rosalynde thou hatchest up a bird to peck
out thine own eyes, thou wouldst entreat as much for her absence as
now thou delightest in her presence.
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