Urge all thy pow'rs to make thy passion prosper : Pol. Heaven blast me if I do. Cast. If't prove thy fortune, Polydore, to conquer, (For thou hast all the arts of soft persuasion) Trust me, and let me know thy love's success, Pol. Though she be dearer to my soul than rest } For if ye pow'rs have happiness in store, That I may never lose so dear a friend. 220 [Exeunt Castalio and Polydore. Enter MONΙΜΙΑ. Mon. So soon return'd from hunting? This fair day Seems as if sent to invite the world abroad. Pass'd not Castalio and Polydore this way? Mon. Sure some ill fate's upon me. My foolish heart; and, like a tender child, Page. Why, madam, have I done you any wrong? Page. Madam, I'd serve you with my soul: "But in the morning when you call me to you, "As by your bed I stand, and tell you stories, " I am asham'd to see your swelling breasts, "It makes me blush, they are so very white. 241 “Mon. Oh, men! for flatt'ry and deceit renown'd! "Thus, when y'are young, ye learn it all like him, "'Till as your years increase, that strengthens too, "T'undo poor maids, and make our ruin easy." Tell me, Cordelio, for thou oft hast heard Their friendly converse, and their bosom secrets; Sometimes, at least, have they not talk'd of me? Page. Oh, madam, very wickedly they have talk'di For I'll preserve the secret as 'twere mine. 260 Methinks you love me better than my lord; Mon. Inform me how thou'st heard At last, after much struggling, 'twas resolv'd Mon. What, good Cordelio ? Page. Not to quarrel for you. Mon. I would not have 'em; by my dearest hope, I wou'd not be the argument of strife. But surely my Castalio won't forsake me, 280 And make a mock'ry of my easy love. Went they together? Page. Yes, to seek you, madam. Mam. Am I then grown so cheap, just to be made A common stake, a prize for love in jest? Page. The fault was Polydore's. C He said, no woman's smiles should buy his freedom; And marriage is a mortifying thing. Mon. Then I am ruin'd, if Castalio's false. Why was I made with all my sex's softness, Enter CASTALIO and POLYDORE alone. 300 He comes, the conqueror comes! lie still, my heart, And learn to bear thy injuries with scorn. Cast. Madam, my brother begs he may have leave To tell you something that concerns you nearly. I leave you, as becomes me, and withdraw. Mon. My lord, Castalio! Cast. Madam ? Mon. Have you purpos'd To abuse me palpably? What means this usage ? Cast. He best can tell you. Business of importance Calls me away; I must attend my father. Mon. Will you then leave me thus ? Cast. But for a moment. 320 Mon. It has been otherwise; the time has been, When business might have staid, and I been heard. Cast. I could for ever hear thee; but this time Matters of such odd circumstances press me, That I must go [Exit. Mon. Then go, and, if't be possible, for ever. Well, my Lord Polydore, I guess your business, And read the ill-natur'd purpose in your eyes. Pol. If to desire you more than misers wealth, Or dying men an hour of added life; If softest wishes, and a heart more true Than ever suffer'd yet for love disdain'd, Speak an ill nature, you accuse me justly. Mon. Talk not of love, my Lord, I must not hear it. Pol. Who can behold such beauty and be silent? Desire first taught us words. Man, when created, At first alone long wander'd up and down, Forlorn, and silent as his vassal-beasts; But when a heav'n-born maid, like you, appear'd, Strange pleasures fill'd his eyes, and fir'd his heart, 340 Unloos'd his tongue, and his first talk was love. Mon. The first created pair indeed were bless'd; They were the only objects of each other, Therefore he courted her, and her alone: But in this peopled world of beauty, where There's roving room, where you may court, and ruin A thousand more, why need you talk to me? Pol. Oh! I could talk to thee for ever. Thus Eternally admiring, fix and gaze On those dear eyes; for every glance they send Darts through my soul, and almost gives enjoyment. Man. How can you labour thus for my undoing? |