University of Virginia Library

Scæna Prima.

Enter Rodope, and Silvio at severall doores.
Rod.
Nephew.

Sil.
My deare Ant.

Rod.
Would you goe by thus slily
And never see me, not once send in to me
Your loving Neece? she that above all those
I call my Kindred honour'd you, and placed you
Nearest my heart?

Sil.
I thanke you worthy Cousen,
But such at this time are my occasions—

Rod.
You shall not goe yet, by my faith you shall not,
I will not be deny'd: why looke ye sad Nephew?

Sil.
I am seldome other: O, this blood sits heavy:
As I walk't this way late last night,
In meditation of some things concern'd me—

Rod.
What Nephew?

Sil.
Why me thought I heard a Peece, Lady,
A peece shot off, much about this place too,
But could not judge the cause, nor what it boaded,
Under the Castle wall.

Rod.
We heard it too,
And the Watch pursu'd it presently, but found nothing,
Not any tract.

Sil.
I am right glad to heare it:
The Ruffians surely, that command the night
Have found him, stript him: and into the River
Convey'd the body.

Rod.
You looke still sadder, Nephew,
Is any thing within these walls to comfort ye?
Speake, and be Master of it.

Sil.
Ye are a right Courtier,
A great Professor, but a poore performer.

Rod.
Do you doubt my faith: you never found me that way
I dare well speake it boldly, but a true friend.

Sil.
Continue then.

Rod.
Try me, and see who falters.

Sil.
I will, and presently: 'tis in your power
To make me the most bound man to your courtesie.

Rod.
Let me know how, and if I faile—

Sil.
'Tis thus then,
Get me accesse to the Lady Belvidere
But for a minute, but to see her: your Husband now
Is safe at Court, I left him full employ'd there.

Rod.
You have ask'd the thing without my power to grant ye,
The Law lyes on the danger: if I lov'd ye not
I would bid ye goe, and there be found, and dye for't.

Sil.
I knew your love, and where there shew'd a danger
How far you durst step for me: give me a true friend,
That where occasion is to doe a benefit
Aymes at the end, and not the rubs before it;
I was a foole to aske ye this, a more foole
To thinke a woman had so much noble nature
To entertaine a secret of this burthen;
Ye had best to tell the Dutchesse I perswaded ye,
That's a fine course, and one will win ye credit;
Forget the name of Cousen, blot my blood out,
And so you raise your selfe, let me grow shorter.
A woman friend? he that beleeves that weaknesse
Steeres in a stormy night without a Compasse.

Rod.
What is't I durst not do might not impeach ye?

Sil.
Why this ye dare not do, ye dare not thinke of.

Rod.
'Tis a maine hazard.

Sil.
If it were not so
I would not come to you to seeke a favour.

Rod.
You will lose your selfe.

Sil.
The losse ends with my selfe then.

Rod.
You will but see her?

Sil.
Onely looke upon her.

Rod.
Not stay?

Sil.
Prescribe your time.

Rod.
Not traffique with her
In any close dishonourable actions?

Sil.
Stand you your selfe by.

Rod.
I will venture for ye,
Because ye shall be sure I am a touch'd friend,
Ile bring her to ye: come walke, you know the Garden,
And take this key to open the little Posterne,
There stand no guards.

Sil.
I shall soone finde it Cousen.

Exeunt.