ALSEMERO Jasperino, I have news to t...

ALSEMERO Jasperino,

I have news to tell thee, strange news.

JASPERINO I ha' some too,

I think as strange as yours; would I might keep

Mine, so my faith and friendship might be kept in't.

Faith, sir, dispense a little with my zeal,

And let it cool in this.

ALSEMERO This puts me on,

And blames thee for thy slowness.

JASPERINO All may prove nothing,

Only a friendly fear that leapt from me, sir.

ALSEMERO No question it may prove nothing; let's partake it, though.

JASPERINO 'Twas Diaphanta's chance--for to that wench

I pretend honest love, and she deserves it--

To leave me in a back part of the house,

A place we chose for private conference;

She was no sooner gone, but instantly

I heard your bride's voice in the next room to me

And, lending more attention, found Deflores

Louder then she.

ALSEMERO Deflores? Thou art out now.

JASPERINO You'll tell me more anon.

ALSEMERO Still I'll prevent thee:

The very sight of him is poison to her.

JASPERINO That made me stagger too, but Diaphanta

At her return confirm'd it.

ALSEMERO Diaphanta!

JASPERINO Then fell we both to listen, and words pass'd

Like those that challenge interest in a woman.

ALSEMERO Peace, quench thy zeal; 'tis dangerous to thy bosom

JASPERINO Then truth is full of peril.

ALSEMERO Such truths are.

Oh, were she the sole glory of the earth,

Had eyes that could shoot fire into kings' breasts,

And touch'd, she sleeps not here; yet I have time,

Though night be near, to be resolv'd hereof,

And prithee do not weigh me by my passions.

JASPERINO I never weigh'd friend so.

ALSEMERO Done charitably.

[Giving him a key] That key will lead thee to a pretty secret

By a Chaldean taught me, and I've [made]

My study upon some; bring from my closet

A glass inscrib'd there with the letter M,

And question not my purpose.

JASPERINO It shall be done, sir.

Thomas Middleton and William Rowley. The Changeling. http://www.tech.org/~cleary/change.html.

Full text of The Changeling: http://www.tech.org/~cleary/change.html

Wikipedia entry on The Changeling: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TheChangeling(play)