University of Virginia Library

SCEN. II.

Enter Gallatea, Aminta, and Olinda.
Gall.
Will Erminia come?

Oli.
Madam, I thought she'd been already here.

Gall.
But prethee how does she support this news?

Oli.
Madam, as those unreconciled to Heaven
Would beare the pangs of death.

Am.
Time will convince her of that foolish error,
Of thinking a brisk young Husband a torment.

Gall.
What young Husband?—

Am.
The Generall, Madam.

Gall.
Why, dost thou think she will consent to it?

Am.
Madam, I cannot tell, the World's inconstant.

Gall.
I Aminta, in every thing but Love.
And sure they cannot be in that:
What sayest thou, Olinda?

Oli.
Madam, my judgment's naught.
Love I have treated as a stranger guest,
Receiv'd him well, not lodg'd him in my brest.
I ne're durst give the unknown Tyrant room,
Lest he should make his resting place his home.

Gall.
Then thou art happy; but if Erminia fail
I shall not live to reproach her.

Am.
Nay, Madam, do not think of dying yet:
There is a way, if we could think of it.

Gall.
Aminta, when wilt thou this humour lose?

Am.
Faith never, if I might my humour chuse.

Gall.
Methinks thou now shouldst blush to bid me Live.

Am.
Madam, 'tis the best counsel I can give.

Gall.
Thy counsel! Prethee what dost counsel now?

Am.
What I would take my self I counsel you.

Gall.
You must my wounds and my misfortunes bear
Before you can become my Counseller.
You cannot guess the torments I endure:
Not knowing the Disease you'l miss the Cure.

Am.
Physicians, Madam, can the Patient heal
Although the Malady they ne're did feel:
But your Disease is Epidemical,
Nor can I that evade that conquers all.
I lov'd, and never did like pleasure know,
Which passion did with time less vigorous grow.

Gall.
Why hast thou lost it?

Am.
It, and half a score.

Gall.
Losing the first sure thou couldst love no more.

Am.
With more facility, then when the Dart
Arm'd with resistless fire seiz'd my heart;
'Twas long then, e're the Boy could entrance get,
And make his little Victory compleat;
But now he'as got the knack on't, 'tis with ease,
He domineers and enters when he please.

Gall.
My heart, Aminta, is not like to thine.

Am.
Faith Madam try; you'll find it just like mine.
The first I lov'd was Phillocles, and then
Made Protestations ne're to love agen,
Yet after left him for a faithless crime;
But then I languisht even to death for him;
—But Love who suffer'd me to take no rest,
New fire-balls threw, the old scarce dispossest;
And by the greater flame the lesser light,
Like Candles in the Sun, extinguisht quite,
And left no power Alcander to resist,
Who took, and keeps possession of my brest.

Gall.
Art thou a Lover then, and lookest so gay,
But thou hast ne're a father t' obey.

Am.
Why, if I had I would obey him too.

Gall.
And live.

Am.
And live.

Gall.
'Tis more then I can do.
[Enter Erminia weeping. Gall. meets her, embraces her, and weeps.
—Thy Eyes, Erminia, do declare thy heart,
Has nothing but despairs and death t'impart,
And I, alas, no comfort can apply,
But I, as well as you, can weep and die.

Er.
I'le not reproach my fortune, since in you
Grief does the noblest of your Sex subdue;
When your great soul a sorrow can admit:
I ought to suffer from the sence of it;
Your cause of grief too much like mine appears,
Not to oblige my eyes to double tears;
And had my heart no sentiments at home,
My part in yours had doubtless fill'd the room.
But mine will no addition more receive,
Fate has bestow'd the worst she had to give;
Your mighty-soul can all its rage oppose,
Whilst mine must perish by more feeble blows.

Gall.
Indeed, I dare not say my cause of grief,
Does yours exceed, since both are past relief;
But if our Fates unequal do appear,
Erminia, 'tis my heart that odds must bear.

Er.
Madam, 'tis just I should to your resign,
But here you challenge what is only mine:
My fate so cruel is, it will not give
Leave to Phillander (if I die) to live:
Might I but suffer all, 'twere some content,
But who can live and see his languishment,
You Madam do alone your sorrows bear,
Which would be less did but Alcippus share,
As Lovers we agree, Ile not deny
But thou art lov'd again, so am not I.

Er.
Madam, that grief the better is sustain'd,
That's for a loss that never yet was gain'd:
You only lose a man that does not know
How great the Honour is which you bestow:
Who dares not hope you love, or if he did,
Your greatness would his just return forbid;
His humbler thoughts durst ne're to you aspire,
At most he would presume but to admire;
Or if it chanc'd he durst more daring prove,
You still must languish in concealed love.

Gall.
This which you argue lessens not my pain,
My grief's the same, were I belov'd again.
The King my Father would his Promise keep,
And thou must him enjoy for whom I weep.

Er.
Ah would I could that fatal gift deny,
Without him you; and with him, I must die;
My soul your Royal Brother does adore,
And I, all kindness but from him, abhor;
But if I must th'unsuit Alcippus wed,
I vow he ne're shall come into my Bed.

Gall.
That's bravely vow'd, and now I love thee more,
Then e're I was oblig'd to do before;
—But yet Erminia guard thee from his eyes;
Where so much love, and so much Beauty lies:
Those charmes may conquer thee, which made me bow,
And make thee love as well as break this Vow.

Er.
Madam, 'tis unkind, though but to fear,
Ought but Phillander can inhabit here.

[lays her hand on her heart.
Gall.
Ah that Alcippus did not you approve;
We then might hope these mischiefs to remove;
The King my father might be mov'd by prayer,
And my too powerful Brothers sad despair,
To break his word, which kept will us undo:
And he will lose his dear Phillander too,
Who dies and can no remedies receive:
But vows it is for you alone he'll live.

Er.
Ah Madam, do not tell me how he dies,
I've seen too much already in his eyes;
They did the sorrows of his soul betray,
Which need not be exprest another way:
'Twas there I found what my misfortune was,
Too sadly written in his lovely face.
But see, my father comes: Madam, withdraw a while,
And once again I'le try my interest with him.

[Exeunt.