University of Virginia Library

Scæna Vltima.

Beaufort jun. Theocrine.
Beauf. jun.
Since then you meet my flames with equall order
As you professe, it is your bounty mistresse,
Nor must I call it debt, yet tis your glory,
That your excesse supplies my want, and makes mee
Strong in my weakenesse, which could never bee,
But in your good opinion.

Theo.
You teach me Sir,
What I should say, since from your sun of favour,
I like dimme Phœbe, in her selfe obscure,
Borrow that light I have.

Beauf. jun.
Which you returne
With large increase (since that you will orecome,
And I dare not contend) were you but pleas'd
To make what's yet divided one.

Theo.
I have
Already in my wishes, modesty
Forbids me to speake more.

Beauf. jun.
but what assurance,
(But still without offence) may I demand
That may secure me that your heart and tongue
Joyne to make up this harmonie?

Theo.
Choose any
Suiting your love distinguished from lust,
To aske and mine to grant.

Enter (as unseene) Beaufort senior, Malefort, Montrevile, and the rest.
Beauf. sen.
Yonder they are.

Mal.
At distance too, tis yet well.

Beauf. jun.
I may take then
This hand, and with a thousand burning kisses,
Sweare tis the anchor to my hopes?

Theo.
You may Sir.

Mal.
This is somewhat too much.

Beauf. iun.
And this done, view my selfe
In these true mirrors.

Theo.
Ever trew to you Sir,
And may they loose th'abilitie of fight,
When they seeke other object.

Mal.
This is more
Then I can give consent to.

Beauf. iun.
And a kisse,
Thus printed on your lips will not distast you?

Mal.
Her lips!

Montre.
Why where should he kisse? are you distracted?

Beauf. iun.
Then when this holy man hath made it lawfull.

brings in a Priest.
Mal.
A priest so ready too I must breake in.

Beauf. iun.
And what's spoke here is registred above,
I must ingrosse those favours to my selfe
Which are not to be nam'd.

Theo.
All I can give,
But what they are I know not.

Beauf. jun.
I'll instruct you.

Mal.
O how my bloud boyles!

Montr.
Pray you containe your selfe,
Me thinkes his courtship's modest.

Beauf. jun.
Then being mine,
And wholly mine, the river of your love
To kinsmen and allies, nay to your father,
(Howere out of his tendernesse he admires you)
Must in the Ocean of your affection
To me be swallow'd up, and want a name
Compar'd with what you owe me.

Theoc.
Tis most fit, Sir,
The stronger bond that bindes me to you, must
Dissolve the weaker.

Mal.
I am ruin'd if
I come not fairely off.

Beauf. sen.
Theres nothing wanting
But your consent.

Mal.
Some strange invention aid me.
Aside.
This! yes, it must be so.

Montr.
Why doe you stagger,
When what you seem'd so much to wish is offerd?

Beauf. jun.
Both parties being agreed to.

Beauf. sen.
I'll not court
A grant from you, nor doe I wrong your Daughter,
Though I say my sonne deserves her.

Mal.
Tis far from
My humble thoughts to undervalue him
I cannot prize too high. For howsoever
From my owne fond indulgence I have sung
Her praises with too prodigall a tongue,
That tendernesse laid by, I stand confirmd
All that I fancied excellent in her
Ballanc'd, with what is really his owne,
Holds waight in no proportion.

Montr.
New turnings!

Beauf. sen.
Whither tends this?

Mal.
Had you observ'd, my Lord,
With what a sweet gradation he wood,
As I did punctually, you cannot blame her,
Though she did listen with a greedie eare
To his faire modest offers: but so great
A good as then flow'd to her, should have beene
With more deliberation entertaind,
And not with such haste swallowd, she shall first
Consider seriously what the blessing is,
And in what ample manner to give thanks for't,
And then receive it. And though I shall thinke
Short minutes yeeres till it be persitied,
I will defer that which I most desire,
And so must she, till longing expectation,
That heightens pleasure, makes her truly know
Her happinesse, and with what out-streatcht armes
She must embrace it.

Beauf jun.
This is curiousnesse
Beyond example.

Mal.
Let it then begin
From me, in whats mine owne I'll use my will,
And yeeld no further reason. I lay claime to
The libertie of a subject. Fall not off,
But be obedient, or by the haire
I'll drag thee home. Censure me as you please,
I'll take my owne way, O the inward fires
That wanting vent consume me!

Exit with Theocrine.
Montr.
Tis most certaine
Hees mad, or worse.

Beauf.
How, worse?

Montr.
Nay, there I leave you,
My thoughts are free.

Beauf. jun.
This I foresaw.

Beauf. sen.
Take comfort,
He shall walke in clouds, but I'll discover him:
And he shall finde, and feele, if he excuse not,
And with strong reasons this grosse injurie,
I can make use of my authoritie.

Exeunt omnes.