 | Alcibiades |  |
SCENE the Camp.
Enter Patroclus and Draxilla.
Patr.
Why Madam do you fly a lovers pray'r?
Is cruelty the priviledge o'th'fair?
Drax.
You cannot Sir i'th'Camp be beauties slave,
Where honour's th'only. Mistress of the brave.
Patr.
But 'tis a rugged honour got in Arms,
When not made soft by beauties sweeter charms.
That melts our rage into a kind desire,
Whilst love refines it in his purer fire.
Drax.
Lovers whose flights so sublime pitches choose,
Oft soar too high, and so their quarry loose.
But you Sir know to moderate your height,
Missing your game can eas'ly slack the flight.
Patr.
Such faint essays may fit a common flame,
But my desires have a far nobler Aime,
Religious honour, and a zeal that's true,
Rais'd by that Deity to which I sue.
Drax.
Those who to deities their offerings pay,
Make their addresses in an humbler way.
Not in a confidence of what they give,
But modest hopes of what they shall receive.
Patr.
I in my offerings no assurance have,
Though an ambition to become your slave.
Drax.
Yes, but when once admitted to that place,
You'l still be looking for some acts of grace.
Patr.
Some little favours pitty can't deny,
You are too noble to use cruelty.
Drax.
See Sir the Queen, I beg you Sir forbear.
[Exeunt.
Patr.
Madam this way—
Enter Queen and Ardella.
Qu.
Did he then suffer no surprize? no shew
Of alteration? let's the progress know.
Ard.
In order Madam t'your command I went,
And met him coming from the Royal Tent:
Where after th'usual Ceremonies past,
E're I would feast I gave him first a taste,
Told him how much his courage you approv'd,
That he in no mean path of glory mov'd,
Who in his Arms had so successful been,
T'engage a Monarch and oblige a Queen.
Then nearer came, and whisper'd something more,
Began to intimate loves mighty pow'r.
He briskly took the hint, and readily
Began to urge some pretty things to me.
By which encourag'd I to th'bus'ness drew,
Told him in fine it only was his due
To be admir'd by all, and lov'd by you.
Qu.
And did not then his alter'd looks betray
Some extasie? some marks of lively joy?
Ard.
No Madam, he knew better policy,
Talk't of your honour, and his loyalty,
Fine smoothing terms to cloak a passion in.
But if your Majesty—
Qu.
—What?—
Ard.
—Had but seen
How much his carriage did his words deceive,
When with a gentle sigh he took his leave,
As if he languish'd till the minute came.
Qu.
Dost thou then think he entertains my flame?
Lets to my Tent and wait his coming there,
Such swarms of love within my Breast there are,
The heat's too furious for my Soul to bear.
What would I give but for a taste of bliss!
Oh the choice sweets of a stol'n happiness?
Enter Patroclus and Draxilla.
Patr.
Why Madam do you fly a lovers pray'r?
Is cruelty the priviledge o'th'fair?
30
You cannot Sir i'th'Camp be beauties slave,
Where honour's th'only. Mistress of the brave.
Patr.
But 'tis a rugged honour got in Arms,
When not made soft by beauties sweeter charms.
That melts our rage into a kind desire,
Whilst love refines it in his purer fire.
Drax.
Lovers whose flights so sublime pitches choose,
Oft soar too high, and so their quarry loose.
But you Sir know to moderate your height,
Missing your game can eas'ly slack the flight.
Patr.
Such faint essays may fit a common flame,
But my desires have a far nobler Aime,
Religious honour, and a zeal that's true,
Rais'd by that Deity to which I sue.
Drax.
Those who to deities their offerings pay,
Make their addresses in an humbler way.
Not in a confidence of what they give,
But modest hopes of what they shall receive.
Patr.
I in my offerings no assurance have,
Though an ambition to become your slave.
Drax.
Yes, but when once admitted to that place,
You'l still be looking for some acts of grace.
Patr.
Some little favours pitty can't deny,
You are too noble to use cruelty.
Drax.
See Sir the Queen, I beg you Sir forbear.
[Exeunt.
Patr.
Madam this way—
Enter Queen and Ardella.
Qu.
Did he then suffer no surprize? no shew
Of alteration? let's the progress know.
Ard.
In order Madam t'your command I went,
And met him coming from the Royal Tent:
Where after th'usual Ceremonies past,
E're I would feast I gave him first a taste,
Told him how much his courage you approv'd,
That he in no mean path of glory mov'd,
31
T'engage a Monarch and oblige a Queen.
Then nearer came, and whisper'd something more,
Began to intimate loves mighty pow'r.
He briskly took the hint, and readily
Began to urge some pretty things to me.
By which encourag'd I to th'bus'ness drew,
Told him in fine it only was his due
To be admir'd by all, and lov'd by you.
Qu.
And did not then his alter'd looks betray
Some extasie? some marks of lively joy?
Ard.
No Madam, he knew better policy,
Talk't of your honour, and his loyalty,
Fine smoothing terms to cloak a passion in.
But if your Majesty—
Qu.
—What?—
Ard.
—Had but seen
How much his carriage did his words deceive,
When with a gentle sigh he took his leave,
As if he languish'd till the minute came.
Qu.
Dost thou then think he entertains my flame?
Lets to my Tent and wait his coming there,
Such swarms of love within my Breast there are,
The heat's too furious for my Soul to bear.
What would I give but for a taste of bliss!
Oh the choice sweets of a stol'n happiness?
| Alcibiades | |