you to any thing yet I could wish Your liking would concur with mine I here Present unto you him who in my esteem Deserves your love best and I hope will find it Diar For all that Sir I think it very fit That children should be rul'd Mel. Nay I esteem it No Marriage but a well nam'd Rape where friends Force Love upon their Children where the Virgin Is not so truly given as betraid I would not have Betrothed people for I can by no means call e'm Lovers do Such Pennance in their marriage sheets and make The Rites no Wedlock but a Sacrifice Where like an Innocent Lamb the passive Virgins Heart is Torn from her Entrailes not Entic'd Being condemn'd not wedded to her Husband Wherefore I will not practise what I may But hope nerth'lesse to find my will perform'd Art Sir the continual carriage of my Life Hath been one Act of Dutie and Obedience And that in this I may not stain the rest But steer my Thoughts by yours I do desire Some time of respite Mel. Take 't but have a care Your hoodwink't vent'rous Passion oversway not Your Reason Think whom here I have commended Art I shall Sir Mel. Now to you thus having made Your way I wish successe Diar And Sir I think After your Merits have display'd themselves It may be our Presumption not our Prayer Exe Mele Diar. Phi. My thanks to both Madam I make no question But that you easily believe these friends And partly from your own experience know How well I have deserv'd you otherwise I should relate my self how much you are Oblig'd for this observance which I shew you By condescending thus to court a Ladie That sued not first to me Art Sir though I think Most might be proud of such a favour from you And prize it high Phi. Nay faith I must confesse My threshold groans under the daily Clients And little Legs that come from Ladies to me And I receive so many Tickets from 'em That I am fain to hang e'm upon wires As Pothecaries do their Physick Bills And serve e'm out as the bragging Captain did His Challenges so many to a day Each in his turn I 've disappointed three now Art Yet as I was about to tell you Sir I am not of that fancie as to sue To any man that does not first appear A Client unto me Phi. It seems so Ladie And yet I am not of that general Tenet That does admit no female wooers surely Your sex is not deny'd that Libertie of soul To like what ere you apprehend as good Who does forbid the enamour'd wedge of Iron To steal unto the Loadstone and to knit It self unto it in an amorous kisse Not but by violence to be disjoyn'd who e're Censur'd the uxorious Ivie that it Courts The stout tall Oak and twines it self about Like to some passionate Lover as if willing To shrowd the exposed bulk from threatning dangers And tell the hostile wind or envious hand That heaves an Axe against it you must passe Through me to injure this hoping to see Furie at last appeas'd by the soft object Yet howsoere till death does not forsake him But falls in an Embrace as if desiring To be intomb'd together and made one Pile Art Sure were those dregs of Pride drain'd from his soul aside He would appear of most refined thoughts But Sir what Nature may excuse in them Reason corrects in us Phi. Nay but the rather Knowing your soules indu'd with such a treasure That can direct and guide your Passions should you Pursue the Object when by it approv'd Art True Sir if Reason did commend it to us Likely we should consent Phi. Believe 't in this Your Reason and your Will are much the same You can desire nothing but what that does First having weigh'd and ponder'd well each scruple That may object it self commend as good For whatsoere bounds our affection Must first appear unto our Judgment lovely It standing Sentinel questioning all That passe unto the Closet of the will Art Nay I shall easily grant that we can love And love with reason too but still am Heretick To your Position that we ought to court The object so belov'd Phi. See Madam now Your thoughts are not deny'd to be as willing And ready too as ours but the expression You think unfit and so will needs set up A kind of Just Hypocrisie nay Vertuous Whilest that which you stile modestie is onely A more allowable and fair dissembling For so 't is in effect you must appear Unwilling when desiring nothing more You must seem backward and be much intreated Nay sometimes scarce entreated unto that Which should you misse of you would curse your vertues And count your Modestie injurious But Madam what onely I discourse to you I practise among other Ladies here You see I break my use and therefore will not Ask what adventure I shall undertake To gain your love I think you will conceive That the first act of wooing was a merit And that I mov'd my suit deserv'd it Art Nay 'T is not enough to manifest a Love In bare appearances Each man perhaps When ere his Blood runs high can court a Mistresse With eager zeal and fervour but 't is he Alone whose Soul prompts him to purer Love Deserves reciprocal Affection Phi. As for my soul you may know that hereafter And for my Blood you know I 've told you often 'T is o' th' noblest strain deriv'd from such Who were the glorie of the Roman State And all I 'm sure that ever heard me speak Know by Report it is not stain'd in me I have maintained still the Credit of Our Familie and as I can remember Never descended yet so low as now Which I trust you 'l consider Art Sir I know You would esteem it but a Lightnesse in me To give away my heart almost at th' first Demand and having had so small experience I have some thoughts that disaffect me now And hinder all Deliberation Of Love hereafter you may hear more from me Phi. Madam I wait upon you Exe Philo. Arte Hyp. Pray Heav'n that all these storms thus coming on Like wave and waves one on anothers back Shake not her promis'd faith unto Lysander And ruin't quite The Gods I think take part Thus to disjoynt their loves Her Jealousie First back'd with those appearing Reasons may Be strengthned by these Motives ne're decay The end of the first Act ACT. 2. SCEN. 1. Miserotos laughing HA ha ha I have ee'n burst my self yonder with laughing and am now forc't to retire for fear of my ribs The most prodigious Contention about a Mistresse that e're I beheld A Ballad-singer and a vext Constable I should take e'm for but that I know the one to be a boysterously valiant Captain and t'other a Gentleman abus'd into a Poet by his Mistresse who having for a long time courted her with verses only and Sonnets is now injoyn'd by Her to speak nothing
Armes How shall I cast a blemish on your honour And appear onely like some falser stone Plac'd in a ring of gold which growes a Jewel But from the seat which holds it Phi. How I love One that so well can read my swelling worth At the first sight Know then Artemone My Judgment chooses Thee for so it will Be stil'd what e're I do our great Revenues Would prove half fruitlesse if that we could erre It is a main prerogative of honour To be discreet whether we will or no We are infallible whil'st we have thus much gold To be call'd Prudent and Judicious We challenge now as we would do our Rents Th' art fair and worthy when th' art my Bride Art But I could wish I 'de somwhat of my own That my timerous consent might not wrong your merits Phi. Ne're talk o th' disproportion I 'de not wed One whose estate already were as great But I would marry that we might be equal And even as far as love can make us so We are already Art Sir if you understand a virgins Face Painted with red whil'st a true Lover's by You have my meaning Phi. I 've a divining guesse And do conceive so well that I could wish You would pronounce my thoughts and blesse your self With that rich word of being call'd my Bride Art Then I assume the honour of your Bride Phi. And thus we seal the Contract I knew alwaies kisses her 'T was but the weaknesse of thy modestie That kept thee off though some to try my Faith Would often buzze in my incredulous Eares That 't was the love of one Lysander Art He Once begg'd indeed that he might be my servant Phi. Thy Servant 'faith handsomely urg'd he sure Observes the learned Roman Apothegmes And thinks it the best way to gain a Kingdome By his obedience Thus hee 'l be your slave That he may rule and fetter you thus he wooes With language pickt up from the Senate house The vanity of these Affected Lovers Which hide their Suit in that submissive strain Were well rewarded not to be understood Art With pardon Sir 't is but the common garb And fashion of most Suitors Phi. I the common garbe Give me a man that scorns that beaten way And owes his Passage to himself 'T is base And argues a low spirit to be taught By Custome and to let the vulgar grow To our example 'T is to betray a Virgin And urge the merit of a Treachery To win Affection I do not love This ridling Dialect and how ever grown Above the pitch of any thing that 's vulgar Am plain in my Demands Tell me art ' mine I adde not Mistresse be that the fein'd voyce Of them who stretch their wits but to delude And cheat thy love Art Sir I am so far yours As you shall please to stile me and embrace The Name of any Thing your will puts on me Phi. 'T is the discretion of thy modesty Thus to rely on me but prithee tell me Is there no rival-Name left in thy bosome Does no part of Lysander still rest there Is He quite vanisht for I would be loath To mingle Faith and to divide Affection Thou should'st be mine intire Art I would not wrong A Suitor of that bounteous worth which dwells Within your prudent breast with an half Marriage I should be then but partly blest since all My happinesse is onely thus confirm'd In being wholly yours But I can bring A stronger proof then my bare Testimony Thus to clear all suspition of a love Ty'd to some other here I humbly offer And though against the priviledge of my Sexe Beg your acceptance that we may be joyn'd As firm together as each of us are Chain'd to our selv's Let the Marriage knot Combine our hands in witnesse of the league Made by our twinn'd Soules Phi. Thus thou hast remov'd All scruple from my Thoughts 'T is not the voyce Of Hymen nor his Priest can more confirm My faith in Thee But for that other knot Which links our hands together that a while Must be defer'd to be attended on By the magnificence of Ceremony It were a scandal to the height in which My Dignity is sphear'd to have a wedding With no more Celebration then the Priests I must not wound my Fame nor let my state Thus long held up now droop and grow obscure They must be both kept whole and my repute Must flourish still unblemisht Art My desires Shall wait on yours amd I 'le no more pursue The haste of Marriage since 't is your command That we expect it still Phi. How I applaud The obedience of thy love A while farewel But stay we must yet e're I leave thee thus Salute else we have parted all this while I am not yet skill'd in the Complements Which love requires no matter I shall learn e'm Once more farewel I 'le hasten the dispatch Of all fit Entertainments Exe Philo. Art Sir farewel So to my wish Now whom Lysander hates Shall reap the comfort of my Bridal bed I am not taken with this Philonax For all his stiles of honour but no matter It is resolv'd I 'le love him and perhaps Wean him from those false pleasures which his Pride Hath fastned on him I see his vanity He courts as if against all Cupids rules He would command upon the Marriage day And yet I sooth him in it lest my Coynesse Should drive him back and my revenge be lost Hereafter I 'le reform him and so gain A praise to vengeance which though 't is a vice If all hit right yet shall produce a vertue Exe Omnes The end of the third Act ACT. 4. SCEN. 1. Panareta Ethusa Pan. SIster you know how oft you have profest My word should be the Square of all your Actions Eth. I not deny the promise and my deeds Shall speak as much Pan. How I should hugge thy kindnesse If this soft temper were but settled on Thee And Thou as yet knew'st not the rigorous Scorn To hate a worthy Lover Eth. Such a one Next to your self I 'de cherish but you then Must give me leave with mine own eyes to see And judge him worthy Pan. Ah Sister do you thus Observe what you profest Is my word now The square of all your actions Eth. Pardon Sister This is a matter of a higher Nature Then to be taken up on trust In things Of an indifferent strain I shall submit But on that base which props my Fate I must Call my own judgment unto Counsel there Pan. Where is that solemn Reverence then you 'l pay To my experienc'd Discretion Is this the honour you bestow upon A Judgment to intrust it with meer Trifles Eth. Then you would have me to love Theocles Pan. 'T is the Ambition of my best wishes Hee 's A man so well accomplish'd that I should Grow Envious if he were once bestow'd On any but a Sister Eth. Hee 's a man Sufficient whose Suit I 'de hear with
but Rime The Captain being his Rival hath now provok't the Quarrel he hath drawn his Faulchion and wheeling about lies at his Guard most fiercely whiles my Riming Gentleman makes at him with a pair of Heroick Verses which he again puts by with a warlike Oath or two Such strange Passadoes there are between e'm such Hermaphroditical Play short sword and long verse as I ne're saw the like But here they come To him Pisistratus Lamprias Pis I say I 'le fight what e're comes on 't Lam. Why then have at you Sir nay I 'le assure ye There is no Poet but he hath his Furie Mis. Nay good Captain be pacified indeed it is not manly to challenge or beat another whom you know resolv'd not to fight agen why you see he refuses your weapon Alas he combates in another way if you will make Amorous Sonnets with him I know he will enter the Lists Pis. No! my Sword shall be my Pen and I will print a bloodie Tragick Poem upon his flesh By this good steel I will Lam. By these good Verses thou shalt have thy fill Nay though with sword I fight not yet will I Hang thee in strong lines make thee living die Pis. Strong lines strong halters I 'le beat this riming spirit out of you and make you howl in pitiful prose If ever I hear you pelting verses at my Mistresse window any more I 'le beat that inspired Pate I will Sirrah so that the discharg'd Chamber-pot shall be a work of Charitie the urine being med'cinal Lam. I do defie thee and thy threats thou fellow That look'st so like a foaming angrie Billow Crown'd with my twig of Lawrel I fear not Thunder of rotten Eggs or Chamberpot Pis. Get you a Sword Changeling and a good one too or I 'le crown your Cockscomb with a hollie twig as big as my arm I le make your brains so fluent they shall be ready to flie out upon all occasions Lam. My Bodie shall with Poetrie be charm'd Thus to be naked is to be best arm'd Pis. I le ee'ne try what Armour of proof you have offers to beat him Mis. Hold hold shall I now tell you what you two are Pis. Yes Mars and Apollo Mis. A ridiculous pair of Cockscombs you are to quarrel and violate all bonds of friendship thus for a white face a coy disdainful woman who for ought you know when you have done your best will onely laugh at your follie I would not have you expect to be so Generously miserable as to deserve Pitie Pis. Come come you onely speak this out of your own Aversenesse to all Love she hath most affectionately ingag'd her self by several promises to one of us two but finding us both so equally deserving cannot as yet finallie determine the partie Lam. Nay that 's for certain none can husband bee To fair Ethusa unlesse I or Hee Pis. Here 's nothing to be done with my Sword and I scorn to kill him as he is unarm'd Prithee Miserotos we should be much bound to the discoverie of thy Justice if thou couldst chalk us out a fair way of Decision Mis. Faith I can imagine none you are so disproportionably qualified unlesse putting it to the hazard of Lots For you standing on tearms of Chivalrie He of Poetrie you for the point of your Sword he of his pen can never meet in fair Duel Pis. Why then I le stand to Lots Lam. And shall I too No for I much do fear To venture such fair hopes as now appear Pis. Nay then let her decide it I know her judgement must prefer me therefore I 'le stand to no other Lotterie but her liking Lam. 'T is then agreed Exe Lamp Pis Mis. Did ever men run thus out of their wits with love nay and for one that gives e'm no Encouragement at all the most contemptful abusive woman that ere was sued to She appoints e'm their daies of visits and then sits in state like some great Princess about to decide grave matters concerning the Common-wealth They usually walk without i th' Hall and converse with the Serving-men till summon'd by her Gentlewoman who being the Clark of the Court presents their Petitions their Amorous Papers of Verses and takes their several Enditements 'gainst the next appearing Well give me Libertie of soul who 's will take Beautie Ex. Mis. SCEN. 2. Panareta Ethusa at one door Lysander at the other Lys SAve you fairest Ladies I wish health And your own wishes upon both Pan. But sure He does not know how much h' has giv'n away In that one word If I had my own wish He should bestow himself Eth. If that be all We thank you Sir Lys. But Ladie I have bus'nesse Beyond a bare salute and 't is of Theocles His Service to you Ladie Eth. Well! proceed Lys. Hee 's one if faith can bear the stamp of Merit Deserves your love he spends the day in tears And by his Sighes with which he counts his houres He makes void Minutes Thus he pines away And in a Sullen grief hath lost himself Onely for love of you Pan. How well that tongue Hath learnt to wooe He need not fear repulse If he could spend a Suite in his own Name Smooth'd with such language to my tender eares Eth. Alas I pitie the poor Gentleman Bid him rise early use good Companie And know no other moisture but of wine 'T will cure his Melancholie Lys. If you return But this slight Answer know you then will draw A new disease upon him and your Cure Will onely thus grow to a deeper wound Whil'st he shall die with Physick Pan. Still he moves Like one that knew the Conquering Art to plead For any but himself Eth. Indeed you urge His suit so full as if he had bequeath'd His soul into your bosom But I pray you Discourse it coolely should I give my self To ev'ry one that this way would deserve me I should be married to a Troop of Men And grow a Lawful Strumpet For my Face Is not of that poore Clay as to be courted With one Flame onely there are more desires Chain'd to my eyes then his Lys. There may be so And that Face doth deserve it Pan. Pray heav'n himself Do not increase the Number Lys. But in all That heap of Suitors there are few can boast A Flame so vigorous as Theocles's All do not testifie their rude Affections With that best Complement of Gaudie Presents Nor wooe i th' costly language of rich guifts This is the stile of Theocles firm love Printed in Gold Eth. I grant indeed he sent Full choice of Presents and the finest toyes As I could wish But I return'd my thanks And paid him still in a Civilitie If he expect more I recall that too Else call it what he will he sends but wares And cheats my Cabinet with Merchandise Which I forsooth must think fill'd with his love And in Reward bestow my self alas I have no price set on me nor am sold
At the cheap rate of Jewels I le not passe My self away by bargain Lys. Ladie he scorns To chaffer for affection He desires That you should recompence his Faith with yours And not his Guifts when e're he sends a Jewel Carv'd out into a heart 't is his own heart Wounded and cut by your Disdain each present Carries a part of him that sent it too His Love is weav'd through all his Guifts Did he Know that base Art how to send any thing And leave himself out you might easily then Slight the poor single offer Nor is he arm'd Onely with Guifts he dare even challenge dangers And provoke death if he might thus avoid The fate which he more fears of your Displeasure He dares fight for you and maintain your Beautie Whil'st he shall lose his own and paint your face Fresh with his blood Eth. I here 's a way indeed A fine device thus to defend my beautie That he might ruine it That Ladies name Whose worth must be decided by the Sword Suffers though in a Conquest 't is a stain To honour whil'st it wants another force Then its own Innocence to guard it Lys. Ladie Y' are too severe thus to despise all waies That render Suitors lovely if you doubt His Constancie invent your self a Trial Impose some harder task whose cruel weight Might shake a faith which was as firm as Rock Though more relenting If guifts fraught with love Cannot prevail nor th' Judgment of a Duel Then find out something heavier then war Injoyn his absence and impose some years Of tedious Pilgrimage which onely thu• Shall grow a Sport and Recreation 'Cause your Command Eth. Sister y' are too heavie Come be more cheerful Lys. This is a Contempt Worse then the rest will she not give an Answer aside O the proud Insolence of a coy Ladie But if that be the way I can follow And shape my self to any thing to produce A Comfort for my friend Panareta Let me intreat your help Pan. O do not wrong The power you have in me to intreat any thing Bee 't a command and 't is already done Lys. What sweetnesse dwells in all her Answers now aside I could forget my friend and almost urge A suit might blesse my self But I must through 't My request is that you would win your Sister To glance some favours upon Theocles She is all stone yet but that she will not Be won upon by tears No softnesse can Supple her harder Bosome Eth. A good Character Pan. Ah Lysander I did hope you would Have urg'd a glad Suit of Another strain When I did yeild so far I did believe How Credulous Love is 't was me you aim'd at Lys. Did I forsake one shelve to split my hopes Upon a New I must still try Ethusa Since you are cruel too Pan. How should I plead Tell me what words will soonest win her love For sure you know the way to conquer hearts Eth. How gravely they consult together onely After more Policie to be deny'd still aside Lys. Tell her how great his Love is let her know She sits within his heart next to the Gods Pan. Sure that cannot win her for even thus I love You with a faith as great as he does her You sit within my heart next to the Gods Pardon the Blasphemy and are even plac't Above e'm too and yet I am neglected Eth. I am glad I am releas'd since I can now Gather more Breath strong for a new repulse aside Lys. If you love me then shew it in this grant SCEN. 3. To them Theocles Pan. SEe he is come himself let him now move His own desires for sure 't is an Advantage To any one but me to woo in Person The Friend and Lady pardon my hasty rudenesse Which scarce permits this short salute I see a Beauty that can draw my Soul Out through my Eyes by whose exhaling vertue I am dead every where but in those parts Which survive onely that they may view her Eth. Now I must even become a Prodigie To please his fancie his strange Expressions Seem not so much to court as fright a Lady And I applaud the strength of my conceit That I 'm not startled yet pray Sir tell me What Shew d' ee please to make Me Am I turn'd Into some Blazing Comet Sure my haires Do all lie right and they are still themselves They do not hisse nor spit out fire The Ladie You have the Beautie and the Majestie Of any Star you shine as bright as they But not so monstrous and yet pray heaven that you Do not portend a Death too But since You will not conceive the meaning of a Distance I will grow nearer to you and addresse My suit in th' approach of a plain language My bus'nesse then is humbly to implore The Influence of your love Eth. Then you have perform'd Your Bus'nesse y 'ave implor'd it Fare you well Sir Lys. Nay Ladie bee'nt thus cruel to undo A man whose onely fault is too much Love His wish is not to beg but to obtain Pan. And yet the whole reward of my Desire Is but to beg though I could wish t' obtain Eth. I must confesse he still hath shewn himself A careful wary Suitor I 've receiv'd Presents enough to tire my hand i th' taking To which I onely can return my thanks But he must pardon me if I withhold My Love H' hath bin a frequent Visitant And oft hath sent his Page to know how well I took my Rest nay even how I dream't H' hath been as Scrupulous as a Physitian And knowes my sleeps as perfect as my woman And yet for all this Care I can bestow Onely the Charitie of thanks and wish That hee 'd new place his love upon some Subject That knew more how to yeeld Lys. See Sh' hath giv'n An answer suckt out of my breast I grant Y 'ave shewn Affection great as are your merits For which I can but thank you and intreat That you would place your love upon some other Soft as your own Desires The Your Answer Ladie Hath onely kill'd with Pity all the relief Which I can draw from so misplac'd a kindnesse Is but to die Eth. Then I perhaps may shed One tear upon your Funeral and wish That you had been more wise Pan. I was transported With your unwelcome Answer that I knew not How to replie had not the Charitie Of your friend helpt and taught me to confesse That all your pitie onely bids me die The Recal your harsher sentence Let me live Onely i th' Comfort of one Smile Lys. Do not thus Betray a man to sadnesse who can joy Onely i th' Services he does for you Pan. You plead well if your self did not betray A maid to sadnesse and the wild Company Of her own tears for want of the relief Which you might pour out in one Smile Lys. Alas I should but counterfeit The 'T would appear Some comfort yet if you would fain a Mirth
halt to the purpose Shall I turn Poet and be feasted by the Players well I thank my stars I am not so far to seek yet but that I can drink and take Tobacco with some other initiating qualities in which we Poets and Souldiers are near ally'd Lam. In good faith I have not one quality of a Souldier but running away I think we were best change habits I could rime as well in thy Suit and thou fight as manfully in mine couldst not Pis. I but doest think shee 's no better sighted then not to discern us by our faces Lam. I had forgot that but what then shall we do Pis. Nay that I know not let 's ee'n to our friend Miserotos and take his Advice A Looker on may see better waies in the game then a Party The end of the second Act ACT. 3. SCEN. 1. Artemone alone I Do not doubt his Love but I could wish His Presence might confirm it when I see A fire well fed shoot up his wanton flame And dart it self into the face of heaven I grant that fire without a fresh supply May for a while be still a fire but yet How doth its lustre languish and it self Grow dark if it too long want the Embrace Of its lov'd Pyle how strait it buried lyes In its own ruines Blesse me my kinder Stars From the bad Omen Now methinks he wrongs The tendernesse of my Affection And playes the Tyrant with my easier Love He may perchance abuse the Liberty He ravish'd from me and when he hath won Panareta urge my own Consent against me If his Love still be firm O how he seems Too like the God that struck him whil'st he can With-hold his Sight too cruel and himself It much afflicts me that my message was Prevented by my Father and my Uncle I 'le sift the bus'nesse out To her Hyperia How now my Girle Methinks there sits a Truth still in thy looks A Treachery upon that forehead plac't May easily wrong a faith it self hath lost Hyp. Madam what unknown fault of mine hath thus Perplext your Entertainment heretofore You were not wont to cast these frowns upon me As if you meant to bury all my joyes Within your wrinkled forehead Art Whence hath guilt Borrow'd this glorious shelter how can vice Become thus specious hid within the shrowd Of an unfaulty look and innocent tongue Thy pretty pleadings make me almost love The Ruine thou throw'st on me Hyp. Madam I dare Pronounce my self still free no guilt can stain My Innocence unlesse it be a fault There to be guiltlesse where your Sacred Tongue Imputes a Blot how my griev'd Eyes could weep To wash that scandal off from my clear Face Which only your Suspition makes a Crime Art A vice thus painted out is the best Face That vertue can put on O that Lysander Could thus dissemble too I then were blest As much in his conceal'd Apostacie As in his better Faith Hyp. How I rejoyce To suffer with that Name Then I perceive 'T is some uncertain Rumor hath displac't Your wonted chearfulnesse Art Were but the fame Uncertain I would then call back my Smiles And still shine in a free and generous Mirth But oh the grave instructions of Age And the more lively Precepts of a bribe Whose Innocence will not these baits o'rethrow Hyp. Now Madam since I have discover'd thus The poyson of your sicknesse give me leave To cure the Malady with a present Ease You sent me to Lysander as I went Your Father and Diarchus met me They I must confesse urg'd me with vehemence And a severity printed in frownes Deeper then age had carv'd upon their browes They threatned to Reward my falshood too For even that whiles it would take away My Faith from you were but a Punishment I should have told Lysander that your flame Cool'd by his absence now did onely aym To seat it self within the prouder Circuit Of Philonax rich bosome I did then Promise Obedience which I perform'd Onely in not betraying your commands This is the onely guilt my vertue feeles In disobeying Artemone's Father Art Suspition yeild a little how I fain Would force my self to a belief that thou Speak'st only Truth but yet recall thy self Do not heap guilt on guilt in a Denial Of what hath pass'd alas thy tender yeares Are too unripe for to delude the strong And mature pollicy of subtle Age 'T is but a slender fault to be o'recome By an experience such as theirs Hyp. Madam Could you perswade me that it were a vertue I would yet scorn to own it Pardon Madam I am not rude I ought in such a Cause To be as bold as Innocence Art Yet still methinks there heaves a Jealousie And will not out o th' suddain I feel it beat About my heart O that I could believe Thee faithful and might yet suspect Lysander There 's something whispers me thou art not false And yet I must still doubt of him Hyp. This Madam is But to distrust me in a fairer word You Gods that kept me Innocent by the same Pow'r Make it appear so else it is but vain To worship whil'st y' are as blind as Love Vertue is worth your miracle Create Some new way which may blot this scandal out I can bring onely Teares to plead my Faith And would I could weep Rivers to maintain My secresie to you in the same way As I would expiate some horrid Crime Art Enough Th' hast won my Faith and kept thy own Then pardon my best Girle the vain Surmise The frailty of my love possest me with Let Father threaten and that next dear Name Of Uncle plot against my happinesse Let them contrive my Ruine and infect Their Care with Malice too so I enjoy Faithful Lysander and Hyperia Yet oh this Absence She wālks melancholy SCEN. 2. To them Theocles The O The strange subleties of a womans love We must embrace our Punishment and swear We are rewarded when they torture us What Comfort dwells in that frail Sexe whose best Of kindnesse proves a sting have I for this Consum'd my heart in Passions and through sighes Breath'd out my Soul to find a better dwelling Within Ethusa's breast and yet does she Dislike my Presence and pretend love too Alas I must not visit her Though 't be death Not to enjoy that Face I dare not see it Let those unpitied Lovers turn their plaints Into glad Jubiles whose constant suite Meets a perpetual frown I envy that Which they esteem the worst of misery Would I might be deny'd still They at least Enjoy this Comfort to behold the hand That strikes whiles 't is my Fate to dye i th' dark The Tempest is then lessen'd whiles the Sun Mingles his rayes with the unruly showres But in the horror of a gloomy night The Shipwrack multiplies and the sad stroakes Fall double still If I behold her face That Face which hitherto hath made me live I then must cease to be for that 's
In a new Bosome He can and may perhaps Feel a Revenge high as his Injury 'T is vain to shed a Tear if he be false He not deserves one Jewel from my eyes For thus he once would flatter even my teares Grant me but this ye Gods that he may feel A cold repulse and once more wooe my love I would then trample on his base Devotions And joy in my revenge which onely thus Would seem too Small that it comes after his And to his further Rage I 'de even wooe A flame hid in his Enemies breast SCEN. 3. To them Melesippus Diarchus Diar PLy her strongly Brother give her not time Meerly to breathe if her unguided answer Would fain be cloath'd in a Denyal if A discontent break from her forehead then Lay out your Power stifle her speech i th' birth And choak all passage up with the rehearsal Of that lowd Name of Father Mel. I am perfect In your Instructions Daughter you still appear Wrapt up in Clouds and whil'st other Ladies Study their boxes and still practise helps For to preserve their Beauty you alone Desire the ruine of your own Face Fie Grow chearful I shall else perhaps conceive That I am your Disease Art Father your presence Is alwaies welcome as of my Tutelar God And it must needs be some strange unheard of message That makes your sight grow tedious Dia. Brother now Now for my counsel Mel. Nay then I have it Now Artemone by a Fathers plea By the unbounded limits of Sire Dia. And by the priviledge an Uncle beares In a reflexion from that Sacred Name Hyp. Here are love Philtrums now hey for Philonax Art Do not thus wrong the vertue you have giv'n me What need these charms when even your fainter breath Though utter'd in a more familiar sound Would prove a Spel unconquer'd Mel. We do not bring Any severer Magick by whose art Thou might'st be suppled to thy overthrow Dia. Love is our sole Inchantment and a Care For your continual welfare Art 'Las such Newes Would challenge its own welcome though not involv'd In this mysterious Dialect I 've not heard Of any one so much his own bad friend As to be woo'd to a Good-fortune know then Father and Uncle Stiles of Providence What e're the message be your Cares have brought I will receive it with a Joy as great As much unlimited as I grant your Pow'r And in acknowledgment shall still remain Due to your free disposal Dia. Some hopes yet I see shee 's well prepar'd Mel. I here 's the sound Of sweet Obedience why should tender years Fling off their Fortunes through an Appetite And fit of liking That Affection Will prove most durable where knowing Age And a considerate choice confirm the match Dia. Well I 'le be silent yet my lesser pow'r May but perchance hinder the good Event Art Then I perceive that love will be the scope Of this Authentick language your discourse Well season'd with a grave discretion And the Authority of a Parents will Have thus far won upon me I confesse Though in the hastinesse of my Desires As far as my Affection is my own Yet still reserving a due share for you I have in heart betroath'd it to Lysander Yet not so chain'd but that your just displeasure Might break the knot or what I 'de rather wish Your mild advice untie it Hyp. A brave cunning Lady Her Father now must thank her and be oblig'd Because hee 'l grant her wish Dia. Let but my Neece Hold on this course and by my better hopes I will reward her as she were my Daughter And by the Dowry I will cast upon her It shall be thought she was Diarchus issue Art Sir though I did not hope for a Reward Besides the naked Act of my clear duty I should not start from my obedience My thoughts are so Immaculate that I Could never mean to buy my Innocence And make a Trade of vertue Mel. Then my Girle I hope thou art prepar'd to entertain Philonax's love he the Senator Art I feel my Coldnesse melting Sir your breath Hath rais'd a heat in my Affections Which until then were frozen I confesse And now dare speak it I love Philonax And were he present could receive his Courtship With more then formal kindnesse Dia. Hyperia Go and intreat him hither Exe Hyp. Mel. Tell him we expect His quick approach I would not have him slip This very punctual minute Sure this Love Hath his set times would he were here already How aguish her desires are Now 't is her fit To like and to be well now she growes hot And zealous in her Love which erst was cool'd And fann'd by a chill Scorn There is an hour Lucky to Suitors and 't is fall'n out now Let all young men hereafter wooe by th' Clock Try how the pulse beats and promote their Suite As we give Physick by the Almanack Search how the weather goes such a day's fair For Lovers fair as their own Mistresse Face Such a day 's clouded o're with frowns and brings Foul weather shed for her distorted looks Is he not come yet how I begin to fear This good time will be over-straight not yet It is a wealthy Suitor Here he comes SCEN. 4. To them Philonax Hyp. NOble Philonax your quick arrival Honours your Servants and I hope shall meet Their thanks in an Enjoyment of their wishes Phi. Thanks Melesippus if I should adde Father 'T were but a while to antedate that Name I know she cann't stand out long against me Worthy Diarchus your Servant Dia. I embrace Your love and wish that we were nearer yet By an Allyance Phi. You wrong your judgment Sir To wish it shee 's mine already Mel. Or else no child of mine We have onely chaff'd the virgin wax To make her fit for your Impression Dia. I hope his Confidence will prevail Wee 'l leave you to your starres and courtship now Mel. Be plaint Girle Exe Mele Diar. Phi. Fair Lady I am not like those that aym Instead of a fair wife to steal a Portion But bring a Dowry with me nor do I wooe With a set form of weary Complements But with a strong Inchanting Title tell me Art thou the Senators Bride Art Sir the Confidence Which your Deserts put on would misbecome My native modestie 't were Arrogance T' accept proffers so beyond my state And I should thereby seem to grant some worth ••ich caus'd your liking Phi. Strange that we should be Deny'd because we are too great a Title That other Ladies are ambitious of Whose queazy Conscience stands not on such points To refuse honour I have heard of some Have bin with child meerly with a deep thought Of a great Title I must needs confesse It was my Fate to be born high and noble Of proud Command but yet I can vouchsafe And deignt ' accept your love Art Worthy Sir Do not thus stoop below your self alas When I shall sit circled within your
a name Next under Love That he hath won already I bear some good will towards Theocles Lys. If you expect no more from me that task Is soon perform'd I bear some good will too Towards Panareta Pan. 'Las that 's a bounty You have still granted me without a Suit I aym at somewhat higher Lys. Pardon Lady My vow that keeps me off Pan. Prithee Ethusa Grow nearer in thy love to Theocles 'T is one advantage yet since 't is my Fate To wooe to beg help through a Sisters love Eth. Lysander then I challenge all your vow That you affect constant Panareta since I now begin to honour Theocles Lys Then vanish hence all roughnesse fairest Lady I now professe my self what I was forc'd to hide My self your humblest Creature Pan. Blessed change 'T is Musick all thou speak'st this late disorder Heightens my joy thus we owe thanks toth ' cloud That robs us of our Sun that after he May shew a face more washt and clean Lys But yet I must needs grant there are some trifling vowes Made to another love fair Artemone Which I would fain forget Pan. But dare you then If she send back those vowes and remit all Your kinder promises if she renounce And slight your former love dare you then place Those vowes on me Lys By all the faith of oathes Then I will love none but Panareta Pan. Fixt in this confidence I will no more Be troubled with this torment Jealously Lys Nor shall you find just cause you freely now Dare trust my absence There 's a Passion burns Strugling within my breast which checks my love And tells me I delay the news too long For want of which my Theocles doth languish Eth. Confirm him strongly in my affection Leave him no scruple unresolv'd tell him I languish too and shall expect his Visit Lys Worthy Madam thanks for these brave employments Ex. Lys. Pan. I owe these joyes all unto Thee nor yet Shall I appear ungrateful since I have us'd No other means for my own happinesse But what may prove the readiest way to thine Thus thou enjoy'st Thy Theocles thus thy love Is like a vertuous Deed it's own reward SCEN. 3. To them Philonax NOw Noble Philonax Phi. It wrongs my Faith To Artemone but to see that Face aside Pan. Dare you not trust our Ears with what you whisper You were not wont to be alone with us Phi. I dare though what I speak be my own poyson Eth. If he talk venom will not his discourse Blister our Eares 'Faith mine begin to tingle already Phi. Know then Panareta since I left that Face In which resides my onely happinesse I thought I could forget it and at length I thought I might not love it your disdain Rais'd up these treasons 'gainst the Majesty Of your unequall'd beauty then I strove To love fair Artemone as the white Which Cupids shaft might easier penetrate I woo'd but with an ill successe for she Straight granted and bethought her presently Upon the Marriage she talk'd nothing but Wedding solemnities and with such eagernesse I thought her self would make the Bridal song It is agreed with all Grave Melesippus And sage Diarchus too have feal'd the Match With their too free consents my bus'nesse here Was to take back those vowes which yet your Scorn Would ne're vouchsafe t' admit but being uncharm'd From Artemone and again fetter'd Within the glorious prison of your Face I must now beg that you deny my suite Y 'ave strook a ray with those fair wounding Eyes That chains my heart unto e'm Eth. O the tricks That love deceives with how it never goes Abroad with his own Face Pan. But tell me are you sure That Artemone hath bestow'd her self Freely on you Do not mock my Fancy Which may be credulous against my self Phi. As sure as I shall hazard all my fortunes In your just hate whom my still ardent flame Pursues with a strong Faith Pan. Then carry hence This beam of comfort if you dare affirm Shee 's false to her Lysander that I thus May be reveng'd of his unjust disdain Whil'st he shall lose all his best hopes in her You shall much please me and soon meet my thanks Come Sister Exe Pan. Ethu Phi. Then happy Philonax who thus doth wooe One Bride that he may have the choice of two Ex. Phil. SCEN. 4. Mise Pis. Lamp Pis. NAy but I prithee good Miserotos hast thou thought on the means whereby we might effect our Desires Lam. I that is it we desire to know Mis. O you can speak plain language now Lam. Yes 'faith the power of love hath reform'd me yet at first I was very unweildy to be wrought into passable prose But to the Plot you promis'd Mis. Then thus You know your Mistresse hath enjoyn'd you to change humours you Pisistratus to make Sonnets altogether and speak nothing but rime you Lamprias to fight and swagger as he was wont Lam. Yes this we know too well but which way we may execute it are altogether ignorant Mis. I 'le tell you you Lamprias shall pen some verses which Pisistratus shall deliver as his own Lam. I but what then he cannot lend me any of his valour how shall he requite me Mis. Be patient a while and mark you shall make him besides some other verses by way of common place to furnish him with an answer in rime upon most occasions Now in lieu of this Courtesie he shall let you in the presence of his Mistresse give him any opprobrious terms whatsoever and with patience receive 3. or 4. blowes and kicks from you which must needs give a sufficient Testimony of your mutual change and her power that effected it Lam. Thanks kind Miserotos this plot is admirable I 'le pen some thundering speech for my self which if I have the grace to pronounce with a brave courage I am made for ever But I much fear I shall hardly find in my heart to beat this Pisistratus I have found him alwaies so boysterous and then I have no skill at my weapon Mis. O 't is but practising a little you may beat your man or so Lam. What if I practis'd first upon one of my Landladies Maids Mis. That 's base and cowardly Lam. Or one of her little boyes Mis. Well do as you will but see that you look and speak very couragiously Pis. But what shall I do if he chance to ask me some questions to which I have no answer in verse Lam. Why I 'le tell you the trick on 't 'T is but thinking of two words that are rime first and I 'le warrant you with a very little pain you may screw some other words to make up the verse 't is no great matter though one be sometimes shorter then another a cripple verse that halts upon crutches sometimes does very well and moves compassion Pis. Why look you let 's hear you rime here 's two words Armado and Lansprisado Lam. For your sake Madam I
think me made so by your Flames of Anger You will forgive me nay will you not pray speak Art Sorrow thou comest too thick upon me and My opprest Soul sinks under the vast burden SCEN. 2. To them Lysander O Brother hide me from that Deity That is so much offended I dare now Not look on any thing that is not false And like my self And yet for ought I know There 's unexpected mercy I have heard That Noble power does as oft appear In lenity as just Revenge O Sir If your breast harbour pity for that wretch That could find none for you here you may use it And this in all my misery shall be The seasoning comfort that I shall supply The object where you may imploy a vertue Lys Fairest those knees were never meant to bow But to the Gods that made e'm Art Sir let this Excuse My former stiffnesse I have broke my vowes And given away my Faith as if you first By a recanting falshood had provok't it But heaven knowes you are true and I as black As sin can make me yet methinks mistake Might somewhat mollifie the Censure of My giddy passion No it was enough That I could think ought true that might impair Your vertuous Constancy Lys I pray correct Your erring thoughts for I was false indeed And hither came for pardon Art O the vastnesse Of faithful love undo me not I pray By that Immensity of Favours which 'T will be impossible e're to deserve That love should force a Man t' accuse himself And lest I might well think I had done basely Thus to pretend a falshood Come I shall Sooner suspect the sprightly fire should Forget its natural wings leave to mount upward And creep upon the sordid earth then once Your pure and elevated Thoughts could flag Or that your Faith could know so low an ebbe As to think foulely O Sir I am anothers And cannot now bestow my self upon you Nor dis-ingage my self from all that load Of kindnesse you have heap'd upon me but thus offers to stab Lys. Hold Lady hear me out and you will find I 'm not the man for whom you ought to die Know to my shame I speak it I was false Nay truly false My faith was counterfeit But not the breach of it and that you may Know so much to your self hither I come First t' implore a pardon then desire That you would render back my vowes unto me Forget that e're you lov'd me or I you And if the least Desert of mine remain In your fair breast that still might prompt Affection Tear it away for I have blasted all My former merits by this Act of basenesse Art How I embrace that falshood O it joyes me As now my fortune stands more then all Faith All love could ever And I would fain know The happy reason that first mov'd you to it Lys. Madam when first I had the licence from you To court Panareta I was all your own Yet somewhat doubtful through the Jealous fears Chiefly through that old hate your friends bore to me To which being added that fair Carriage which Panareta alwaies studied quite o'recame My dallying thoughts and turn'd them at length To a true dotage O she would often sit And breathe a clowd of sighes tell me how much I should abuse a credulous virgin if I did but personate that love I made How if I did enjoy another Mistresse Her Ghost for sure she could not well out-live it Would fright my soul from this my body to her O she would cast such powerful glances on me Such charming Spirits danc'd in the bright rayes Of every view They did draw up my soul And chain'd it fast to hers Thus the fond Lark Playing about the glittering snare does tempt The Nets and dares its prison till at length He finds his Liberty betrai'd and all That pomp of brightnesse but a glorious bayt The Methinks in all the story y' have forget The principal main businesse my Obligement The Cause of all these Troubles yet I hope You did it not in that neglected way As to forget it strait why tell you not How you may thank your Friend for these Disasters How faithlesse Theocles wrought all this woe And to Reward you studied to betray you Lys. O Friend the rough behaviour I last used Hath wip'd off all your score you now stand bound To me for nothing nay you shall oblige me If you will sign my pardon for which merit I hope I shall e're some few minutes passe Make and pronounce you happy in your love The Your goodnesse still o'recomes us and your Favours Flow in so high a strain they seem to scorn All competition of Desert or Thanks SCEN. 3. To them Melesippus Diarchus Philonax Panareta Ethusa Mel. COme Lovers to the Temple you were best Make all the Speed you can when once agreed There are so many tricks in love I should Never believe I had my wench untill The Ceremonies were all quite perform'd Diar And therefore we think fit my Lord if you Can in your Judgment count it so to passe All Ceremonious pomp Phi. I 'm yours And onely do demand my Love here would Make but a Repetition of the vowes Which formerly have past between us two 'T is but to satisfie this Lady here Who otherwise requires my love Art Nay sure They are all registred in heaven ere this And onely want that approbation which The Church must soon allow Phi. And therefore Madam I here disclaim all right and title to you Panareta come you see I have perform'd Your strict Injunction I have woo'd her so That you can witnesse now she disclaimes All other interest Art Now blesse me heaven Shall I for ever be deluded Phi. Oh! It cuts my very heartstrings thus t' abuse So fair a goodnesse were I well quit here I could recant and claim her love again Mel. Sir are you mad Dia. What mean you Lady Pan. Sir I shall study to deserve this favour to Phil. But cannot now bestow my self upon you And therefore Madam here I deliver What lawfully ought to be yours gives Philo. to Arte Lys. What strange Mysterious clouds are these Fair Mistresse let us to Pan. Not wander on in darknesse still I pray What means this mad confusion Pan. Philonax I must confesse you first did wooe my love And court my thoughts but still they were reserv'd Unto this noble Gentleman yet still Finding him backward in respect he had Before exprest some love to Artemone I know no other means to dis-ingage him But this by sending you to court his Mistresse Which you were willing then to undertake To please me in a Revenge I feigned And finding to my wish such vowes between you Not fit to be revok'd I much congratulate Your happy suite And now Lysander being You have here had experience how free You are from all this Lady can claym from you I thus perform my promise unto Theocles gives him Ethu And