University of Virginia Library

The second Scene

Enter Nonantious alone, and afterwards Francina, and hearkens.
Nonant.
Did I but know what I do go about,
I woo'd not be so forward, without doubt,
As to pronounce, the sentence of my death,
As I must do, so with my proper breath.
To court a Mistress, was it ever known
To love another, done of one alone?
Coo'd one example, only be but found,
I might have cause to think, my sences sound.
But there is none, none yet was ever known,
To be so foolish, but my self alone.
Then do it not, then I shall disobey,
Do, or not do, criminal ev'ry way.
Of evils, chuse the lesser of the two,
They are so equal, I know not which to do.
My love to fair Francina, bids me not;
My duty to my Prince, can't be forgot.
How both, the ballance hold, so just and true,
That willing both, I know not which to do.
But why shoo'd I love her, who me does scorn?

Eccho.
Because thy love's no bastard, but true born.

Nonant.
Why do her good, who me does use so ill?

Eccho.
'Cause 'tis thy duty, and thy Princes will.

Nonant.
Then I will do't, to make my love appear,
Both to my Prince, and to my Saint so dear.

Fran.
Well, what's your business with me? I was told,
To ask for me again, you were so bold.

Nonant.
I was implease you Madam, it is true,
So bold as yesterday, to ask for you:
But you were not at home, which made me now
So bold again, which you'le I hope allow.
I come not now, as I was wont to do,
My love and passion, to make known to you.
With chosen words, to court you to be kind,
And think you cruel, 'cause that I was blind.
No, no, I know, my merit is too poor,
For to importune you, so any more.
I must confess, I soared then too high,
To let my fancy, after you to fly.
My business now, is of another kind,
If you'le have patience, for to hear my mind.
And faith to credit, what I've charge to say,
Which, I woo'd rather do, then disobey.

Fran.
And faith to credit, what you've charge to say?
Doubt not of that, if me become it may.

Nonant.
To be a Princess, woo'd become you well,
And in a stately Pallace, alwayes dwell.
Have maids of Honour, 'bout you to attend,
And Lords of quality, at hand to send.
On all occasions, to make known your will,
To such as you woo'd have, it to fulfill.

Fran.
I understand you not; or speak more plain,
Or else your words, will be but spent in vain.

Nonant.
Then to be brief, and make you understand,
The Prince does love you, and did me command
On my allegiance, for to tell you so,
And press you likewise, to believe me too.

Fran.
The Prince love me! it cannot be believ'd,
Unless I had a mind, to be deceiv'd.
Alas my faith, is not so sawcy yet,
Into my thoughts, it eas'ly to admit.

Nonant.
You may believe me Madam, it is true,
And very certain, what I say to you.

Fran.
To me my birth, and breeding is so known,
That if 'twere not but only, that alone,
It were enough, no doubt, to humble me,
And me possess, with incredulity.

Nonant.
Were you that, which you say your self to be,
The Prince stands not in need, of dignity.
He has sufficient, for himself and you,
Were you less noble, and less vertuous too.

Fran.
I question not the truth thereof; but you
I rather think, this of your self do do,
To try if that the name, of Queen can move,
And tempt my resolution, for to love.

Nonant.
Ah Madam! you are cruel to think so,
More cruel far, then in the scorn you shew.
That I shoo'd be so wicked, and so base,
'T abuse, not only you, but too his Grace.
I am no Devil Madam; you may say,
And think your pleasure, while that I obey,
For had the Prince, not urg'd me o're and o're,
As I have told you Madam, heretofore,
To make his royal passion, known to you,
Which then I said, I was unfit to do:
I nee're had medled, in this love affair,
The fruit whereof, I coo'd not hope to share.
Helas! Heaven knows, I careful was to sound,
And look with diligence, into his wound,
Shewing unto him, 'twoo'd not fitting be,
By reason of the great disparity
'Twixt you, and him, which he did seem to slight,
And value for your sake, extreamly light:
To see if it were dangerous, or no,
Before I woo'd resolve, to let you know.
When finding it, to be a wound indeed,
And that he mortally, for you did bleed:
I feared to be guilty, of his death,
In such a case, to spare to o'pe my breath.

Fran.
I know not which is greater, of these two,
Your love, or wisdom, if that you say true.
But I am firm resolv'd, to wed with none,
And so unto the Prince, pray make it known.

Exeunt.