 | The Careles Shepherdess |  |
15
Scena. 2.
Enter Lariscus and Cassarina.Lar.
Can you be Mistress of so cold a heart,
When such a flame as mine Courts you to warm it?
Think but how long and with what testimonies
Of my true service I have woed your favour.
Cast.
You are deceiv'd Lariscus, I have not
Such a cold heart as you pretend, nor am I
In gratefull to your love you have exprest;
But you must pardon me, if I forbear,
And pause before I give my self away.
You men, when you enjoy what you desire,
Cool in affections, and being married
We lose our price and value, while we keep
Our freedome, you poure forth your service to us,
And study new wayes of devotion too
How to preserve us: Yet I do not make
This my reason, that I am so slow
In giving you that answer you desire:
I have profest already that I love
Your Person.
Lar.
These are words, Oh give me proof!
And let not Hymen wast his holy tapers;
Give me Possession of my Happinesse.
Cast.
Tame your affection, if you love me as
You have made boast, you will not think it tedious
To expect till I declare my resolution.
Me-thinks that Lovers might content themselves
Sometimes to meet, and talk, and smile, and kiss,
Without desire of more possession.
Thus I could satisfie my self, and you
A man, that better can correct your passions,
Should rest in this. The wish of more betrayes
But the rank part of Love.
Lar.
Were every Virgin
Of this opinion, the Race of men
And women would be lost; had but your Mother
16
Such a thing as Castarina, whose sweet frame
And charming beauty, now hath made Lariscus
The subject of your pity.
Cast.
Well Lariscus,
If you will arm your self with noble thoughts,
And think without examining my heart,
I have some reasons why I thus delay you,
You will perhaps finde no cause to repent:
Yet I am free, nor can you challenge me
Of any injustice, if I should to another
Dispose my heart; no vows have past on my side
To meet with yours; what I may do hereafter
In your assurance, may deserve a welcome.
Enter Cleobulus and Philaretus.
If you will arm your self with noble thoughts,
And think without examining my heart,
I have some reasons why I thus delay you,
You will perhaps finde no cause to repent:
Yet I am free, nor can you challenge me
Of any injustice, if I should to another
Dispose my heart; no vows have past on my side
To meet with yours; what I may do hereafter
In your assurance, may deserve a welcome.
Cleobulus is making to this walk,
And young Philaretus, let us withdraw
To the next Grove.
And young Philaretus, let us withdraw
To the next Grove.
Lar.
I am happy to wait on you.
Exeunt. Lar. and Cast.
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