 | Hannibal and Scipio |  |
Scene the fourth.
To them two Ladyes.Han.
What Lady's that?
Mah.
Shee's of Salapia.
Han.
She's lovely. What unusuall passions
Soften me on a sudden? I me thinkes
Could play with ayre, and wanton with the breath
Of such a Mistresse: court her amorously,
And not mistake a phrase, nor fright her tendernesse
With any repetitions of warres horrours.
Cease your rebellion thoughts. I must be man,
And keepe my freedome.
Han.
Dost observe his eye
How it is fixt?
Han.
What did creation meane
Pursue it then since 'tis the end of all
We either doe or wish? 'tis actions soule
That makes it live. I must enjoy it this way.
Desire's a law set downe by natures Counsell,
And not to be disputed.
Mah.
So my Lord!
Example shall direct us: we may well,
If Anniball turne Courtier.
1. Lady.
One at once.
Sweet gentlemen. Though I should covet change
At once I'de not admit plurality.
Han.
To you (faire storehouse of your sexes excellence)
I would direct the language of my heart.
2. Lady.
'Tis sure a noble dialect, my Lord,
That must expresse it.
Han.
Lady it can speake.
Nothing but passion. You have wounded it.
And from the selfe same eye that shot the dart
I must have balme to cure it.
2. Lady.
Y' are my Lord
A conqueror; and may command the wills
Of all beneath you.
Han.
But I am your captive.
And in that pleasant bondage would abide,
Though I might force my ransome.
2. Lad.
Violence
Would it become those vertues fame proclaim's
To have possest you: and I dare be confident
Nothing could tempt you to turne ravisher,
Though I should boast virginity.
Han.
Suspect
Of such an ill, wrong's your owne innocence.
My love is zealous, and the passive flame
Fed with a pure desire. I would enjoy you
To mixe our soules, not merely to delight
The wanton senses.
How can you, a man
Whom custome hath habituate in th'extremes
Of cruelty, change nature? and perhaps
Your first, innate, and not a second, onely
Borne out of use. Me thinkes it is not possible
Your thoughts should be possest of other objects,
Then what warres horrour paint's with bloudy colours.
Love and a Lady are for such as ease
Hath softned into women: Hanniball
Hath nothing in him, but what's masculine:
So hardned too, that those weake fires can never
Alter his temper.
Han.
Yes; your eyes have done it.
Although my skin be horney, and my flesh
Almost insensible through daily weight
Of heavie armes, the substance of my heart
Is flexible, and takes impressions
Of love from your perfections. It not derogates
From the best difference in mans composition
To love: for that best speakes him man, and argues
Hee hath a spirit capable of things
Worthy his being. Come then perfect me
With your addition: make my captivity
A conquest, and Ile fixe.
2. Lad.
That were enough
To brand you with a lasting infamy.
You have designes for action. Should you stop
The prosecution of a warre begun
With such successe, and onely for a woman,
T'would make you be the scorne of men; the subject
Of jesters libels. I could court your valour
As you are Hanniball: but as a lover
The thought of that cooles all affection.
Had I at Cannas beene, or Thrasimenus,
Guirt in an Amazonian male, my head
Wrapt in an Iron tyara, and my hand
Arm'd with a sword, I would have kept the side
His conquering arme then acted.
Han.
As from water
Cast on bytumen, so from these sharpe checks
My flame encreaseth. You expresse a soule
Makes others valours but derivative
From yours; as if the spring of all flow'd thence;
And we but dranke our small proportions
From your abundance. Our embraces would
People the wasted world with Warriours.
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