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Scen. 6.
Damon Alexis.
—Damon and Alexis?
Their presence quickly puts these cogitations
Out of my mind: Poore soules, I fain would pity them,
And yet I cannot, for to pity one
Were not to pity t'other, and to pity
Both were to pity neither. Mine old Temper
Is all the shift I have; some dew of comfort
To either of them. How now bold intruders,
How dare you venter on my privacy?
If you must needs have this walk, be it so!
I'le seeke another: What? you'l let me goe?
Da.
Their presence quickly puts these cogitations
Out of my mind: Poore soules, I fain would pity them,
And yet I cannot, for to pity one
Were not to pity t'other, and to pity
Both were to pity neither. Mine old Temper
Is all the shift I have; some dew of comfort
To either of them. How now bold intruders,
How dare you venter on my privacy?
If you must needs have this walk, be it so!
I'le seeke another: What? you'l let me goe?
Cruell Laurinda (if a word so foule
Can have so faire a dwelling.) seale not up
Thy eares, but let a pity enter there
And find a passage to thy heart.
Alex.
Laurinda,
(The name which but to speak I would not wish
22
Torment us longer: Tell us which of us
You value most.
Da.
And t'other, for old freindship
Strangling his bitter Corrasive in his heart,
Hath promis'd to desist from further suit.
Alex.
Or if he cannot so, as sure he cannot,
Yet he will rather chuse to dye then live
Once to oppose your liking.
Lau.
Since you are
Growne so importunate, and will not be answer'd
With modest silence; Know I wish you well.
Alex.
How, me Laurinda?
Lau.
Why I wish, Alexis,
I were thy wife.
Da.
Then most unhappy me!
Alex.
That word doth relish immortalitie.
Lau.
And I doe wish thou wer't my husband, Damon.
Alex.
Still more perplexed: what doe you think I am?
Lau.
My head, Alexis.
Da.
And what I?
Lau.
My heart.
Da.
Which hand am I?
Lau.
Damon, my right.
Alex.
Which I?
Lau.
My left, Alexis.
Alex.
Thus you scorne my love.
Lau.
Not I, Alexis: th'art my only hope.
Da.
Then I am all despaire, no hope for me.
Lau.
Why so my Damon? thou art my desire.
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Alexis doth deserve my nuptiall Bed,
And Damon's worthy of my Maidenhead!
Exit Lau.
Alex.
Damon, desist thy suit or loose thy life;
Thou heard'st Laurinda wish she were my wife.
Da.
Thy wife, Alexis? But how can it be
Without a Husband? and I must be he.
Alex.
I am her head: That word doth seeme t'impart
She meanes my marriage.
Da.
How without her heart?
For that am I: besides you heard her say
I was the right hand you the left, away,
Desist Alexis, mine's the upper hand.
Alex.
But, Damon, I next to her heart doe stand:
I am her hope, in that you plainly see
The end of her intents doth aime at me.
Da.
But I am her desire, in that 'tis showne
Her only wish is to make me her owne.
Alex.
J am her flame.
Da.
'Tis true, but I her fire.
Alex.
The flames the hotter, therefore her desire
Most aimes at mee.
Da.
Yet when the flame is spent,
The fire continues; Therefore me she meant.
Alex.
She promis'd now I should injoy her Bed.
Da.
Alexis doe, so I her Maidenhead.
Alex.
I see she still conceales it, and with speeches
Perplext and doubfull masks her secret thoughts.
Da.
Let's have another meeting, since her words
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To shew her mind.
Alex.
I goe that way a hunting,
And will call for her.
Da.
I'le the while retire
Into the Temple, if I linger here
I am afraid of meeting Amaryllis,
Who with unwelcome love solicites me.
Alex.
And would she might preuaile!
Da.
Till then farewell.
Alex.
All happinesse to Damon be
Except Laurinda.
Da.
All but her to thee.
Alex.
Thus we in love and courtesie contend.
Da.
The name of Rivall should not loose the Freind.
Exeunt.
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