University of Virginia Library

Scæna quinta.

Enter Varina Sola.
Those Sulphurous flames, which Ætna's fiery panch
Assidually into the air doth vomit,
Bear not such force as doth this Paphian fire:
Unconstant supposition never taught me
This instant lesson, but experience:
That poyson'd token in the Centaures blood,
Which made Alcides burn in living flames,
Had not such vigour, as these parching fires:
Which, while I fan with sighs, and think by groans
To puff them out; the more (alas) they flame:
If not extinguisht by some timely showers
My heart must turn an Æthiop: Come! sweet Boy!
Enter Boy
And sing à Lachrymæ unto my woes
A mournfull Lachryme, that from my eyes
Whole Seas of brinish liquor may arise
To drench this heat; I cannot now admire
That Cupids Father was the God of Fire.

Boy
sings.

Var.
Enough! this yeilds but nutrimental food
Unto my dumpish humours; go, begon,
Exit Boy
Poor soul! how art thou tortur'd in distraction,
And discompos'd in various resolutions:
Sometimes to speak is countenanc'd as good;
But modesty steps in, and checks my impudence:
Then silence is thought best, but that would wrong
That noble Person that deserves my Love:
Thus while I practise for to quench the fire,
I doe increase it, and it flames the higher.

Enter Thomaso (Chave's man)
Tho.
Save you, sweet Mistriss, th'noble Roderiguez
Desires but so much favour at your hands
As to peruse this his most humble missive.

Var.
He may command a greater thing then this.

(She reads it)
Tho.
I hope the Heavens do prosper our Atchievements;
Her countenance warrants a good acceptance.

Var.
You may for this time depart, and tell your Master,
That matters of such weight, desire some pawse:
Before we make an answer: Friend, too morrow
About this time you may expect it here:

Tho.
All humble thanks, sweet Lady: at that time
I shall attend your pleasure: all sweet happiness
That can be wisht, attend you.

Exit.
Var.
Friend! Farewell!
See how my storm is turn'd into a calm,
My clouded night into a sun-shine day,
My heart but now deprest almost to death,
Revives, and growes too ample for my breast,
My fears are banisht, and my joyes become
Redundant and superlative: to you
O heavens! my duty doth return her thanks!
And testifies it by her gratefull hands.
(holds them up to heaven.)
He, for whose sake I would exchange the world,
Now throwes himself a servant at my feet:
But let me guide me in my bliss, and wear
My fortunes wisely in a formall fashion:
I must not countenance his suit too soon,
But bridling up my Love with judgements reynes:
Keep at a distance, counterfeit my minde
To be so far estrang'd from Venus Court,
That 'twere as hard to make a Proselite,
As me a Souldier in the Paphian field:
Should I be prone and facile to his will,
In some few days my kindness would grow stale:
The shadow, when pursued doth fly, but turn
Your back, and it in duty followes you:
Should I concede too soon, and not deny,
I should infringe the custom of us maids,
Who in the things we most of all desire,
Must feigne neglect, or else a meer dislike:
Well then, how e're I'll play a maidens part,
And make me stubborn, though I breake my heart.

Exit.