 | Love and Revenge |  |
[Scene the First.]
Enter Nigrello and Aphelia.Aph.
But why, Sir, would the Prince make this Night-visit?
He knows my Virtue, knows my Honour is
My Guard; but such a Guard, as he may pass
If he but give the word, when light and day
Give his access and honourable title.
Why this dark minute for an interview;
The Visits which we made, the Sun still knew.
My Love and I have met under his Beams;
But ne're by Night before, unless in Dreams.
And those so pure, so innocent
As slumbring Vestals would not blush to own;
When wearied, they for a short rest retire
To gain new strength to tend the sacred fire.
Nigr.
Yours, And your Princes honour is so firm,
That privacy and Night can add no stains
To Virtues so unfullied; and the cause
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To tell you France beholds his growing lustre
With wondring eyes, and their unmannerd zeal
Designs to match him with th'Infanta of Spain;
The hopes of which Alliance, and the fear
Of your too powerful Influence o're his heart,
Which some Court-spyes have by their arts discover'd,
Have shrunk your Beauties estimate: Your Eyes
Are look'd upon as Comets, that design
A Nations hurt, grown fatal where they shine.
Their Malice has with their new Hopes conspired:
They look with hate on what they once admired.
Aph.
And is the Prince too joyn'd in this new Change?
Are his looks alter'd too?
Nigr.
No; nor his Heart:
He thinks with scorn on their unwelcome kindness,
And begs this private conference to tell you
How much of Fate in your great Beauty lives,
And what irrevocable dooms it gives.
His Love is moved by Destiny, not Chance;
He'l Marry you, and blast the hopes of France.
Aph.
A Love so pure, a bliss so high—Lead on.
Where such Light shines, all fears and Clouds are gon.
(Aside)Nigr.
Oh admirable Villany! Revenge
Does feed on Ruine. Ruines are
Its Food and Life; it flourishes as they
Who living on Sea-coasts, for Tempests pray.
When against Rocks some wealthy Vessel cracks,
They run to shore, and are made rich by wracks.
Exeunt.
| Love and Revenge | |