320 “Let me behold those eyes; they'll tell me truth. "Hast thou no longing? art thou still the same "Cold, icy virgin? No; thou'rt alter'd quite : "Haste, haste to bed, and let loose all thy wishes." Mon. 'Tis but one night, my lord; I pray be rul’d. Cast. Try if thou'st power to stop a flowing tide, Or in a tempest make the seas be calm; And when that's done, I'll conquer my desires. No more, my blessing. What shall be the sign? When shall I come? for to my joys I'll steal, As if I ne'er had paid my freedom for them. Mon. Just three soft strokes upon the chamber door; And at that signal you shall gain admittance: But speak not the least word; for if you shou'd, 'Tis surely heard, and all will be betray'd. Cast. Oh! doubt it not, Monimia; our joys Shall be as silent as the ecstatic bliss Of souls, that by intelligence converse. Immortal pleasures shall our senses drown, Thought shall be lost, and ev'ry power dissolv'd. Away, my love; "first take this kiss. Now haste." I long for that to come, yet grudge each minute past. [Exit Mon. My brother wand'ring too so late this way! Pol. Castalio ! Cast. My Polydore, how dost thou ? How does our father? Is he well recover'd? 341 Cast. Doubtless, well: A cruel beauty, with her conquest pleas'd, Pol. Is she the same Monimia still she was? Though I'm grown weary of this tedious hoping; Pol. Yet may relief be unexpected found, Cast. No; she has still avoided me : Her brother too is jealous of her grown. 360 And has been hinting something to my father. I wish I'd never meddled with the matter: Pol. To what? Cast. To leave this peevish beauty to herself. Pol. What, quit my love? As soon I'd quit my post In fight, and, like a coward, run away. No, by my stars I'll chase her till she yields To me, or meets her rescue in another. Cast. Nay, she has beauty that might shake the leagues Of mighty kings, and set the world at odds: But I have wond'rous reasons on my side, That wou'd persuade thee, were they known. What are they? Came ye to her window here, Use honest dealing with a friend and brother. Cast. Grant I do; You love capitulations, Polydore, And but upon conditions would oblige me. 380 Pol. You say you've reasons; why are they conceal'd? Cast. It is a matter of such consequence, As I must well consult ere I reveal. But pr'ythee cease to think I would abuse thee, Pol. When you, Castalio, cease, Cast. Pr'ythee avoid a thing thou may'st repent. [Exit. Pol. Good night, Castalio, if ye're in such haste. He little thinks I've overheard th' appointment; 402 But to his chamber's gone to wait a while, Then come and take possession of mylove. This is the utmost point of all my hopes; He soars above me, mount what height I can, Enter Page. Page. My Lord! Pol. Come hither, boy. Thou hast a pretty, forward, lying face, Pretend to secrecy, cajole and flatter Canst thou Thy master's follies, and assist his pleasures? Command, whate'er's your pleasure I'll observe; A letter to a beauteous lady's bosom; At least, I am not dull, and soon should learn. 420 Pol. 'Tis pity, then, thou should'st not be employ'd. Go to my brother, he's in his chamber now, Undressing, and preparing for his rest: Find out some means to keep him up awhile; Tell him a pretty story, that may please His ear; invent a tale, no matter what : If he should ask of me, tell him I'm gone To bed, and sent you there to know his pleasure, F Whether he'll hunt to-morrow. Well said, Polydore, 44 Page. Doubt not, my lord. He has been always kind To me; would often set me on his knee, Then give me sweetmeats, call me pretty boy, wishes. Pol. Run quickly, then, and prosp'rous be thy And give th' unregarded signal; Oh, Just three soft-strokes against the chamber door; 1 |