 | The Enchanted Lovers |  |
SCENA IV.
THERSANDER, DIANA, THIMANTES, ISMENIA.Thersander
to Diana.
Oh stay, dear object stay, thou that art cause
Of all my torments, I have but one word
To say before I dye, the Nimph hath crown'd
My valour with these prizes, here I come
19
If thou wilt triumph on this festival day,
Suffer at least thy conquest in thy sight,
That's all th'ambition of this captive heart.
Diana.
Captive to me? if so, make it change Master,
I freely do release it; break its chain
Thy self, if thy design be not to have me
Free it with my own hand.
THERSANDER.
Alas! it is not
Its liberty that I desire.
Diana.
Then let it
Live still a slave, and sigh.
THERSANDER.
How, Shepheardess!
Refuse a heart, this precious present which
Is alwayes worth a Temple, and the Gods!
Think well upon it, it becomes thy justice
Not to despise this noble sacrifice,
Since I give but the same victime and incense
Unto the powers above; in my opinion
Our Goddess in the Temple is less fair,
And thou dost bear the bright name of Diana,
As well as she.
DIANA.
Since this rich present is
Of such high value, as 'tis worthy of
A Temple and the Gods, I believe, Shepheard,
That it becomes my justice not t' accept
This noble sacrifice, and I should wrong
Our puissant Gods in daring to partake
Their glory, and to share their incense with them,
My name's Diana, to thy eyes I'm fair;
But I am not a Goddess like to her.
20
Although thou hast no Temple, nor no Altars,
Thou mak'st thy self adored; 'tis to day
Thy festival which I have celebrated:
I have no other worship, nor no other
Diana, the sire of my love is not
A profane fire, and if some spark thereof
Warm not thy breast a little, I must suffer
The violent heat on't.
Diana.
Rather I advise thee,
Quench it with my contempts, this remedy
Will cure thee, that thou shalt complain no more.
THERSANDER.
Good Gods! what remedy is this which thou
Offerest me here? I must dye, Shepheardess,
If thou cur'st so; flatter at least, I pray thee,
With one sole word the love which thou hast rais'd;
If I'm, not happy, make me think I am so.
Alas! I cannot hear a single syllable
To succour me; if thus thou curest, Shepheardess,
I must dye, there is no prevention for't.
ISMENIA.
Why carriest thou a heart still so rebellious
To love?
THIMANTES,
Why dost thou persecute with scorn
This faithful Shepheard?
DIANA.
It is best be gone.
THERSANDER.
Yet thrust of thy disdain, if thou wilt spare
My hand, my death, finish the forming of
21
And I die presently before thine eys;
Speak, answer me.
ISMENIA.
No more, here comes the Nymph.
DIANA.
Happy arrival, which hath freed me from
So great a ttouble!
THERSANDER.
Well for my part then,
I'le try the temper of the marble rocks;
My plaints may pierce them, though they could not move
A Virgins heart to pitty, much lesse love.
| The Enchanted Lovers | |