University of Virginia Library

Scæna Tertia.

Enter Aminta (above) with a Taper.
Am.
Stand fair, light of Love, which epithite and place
Adds to thee honour, to me it would be shame,
We must be weight in love, no grain too light;
Thou art the Land-mark, but if love be blind,
(As many that can see have so reported)
What benefit canst thou be to his darknesse?
Love is a Jewel (some say) inestimable,
But hung at the eare, deprives our owne sight,
And so it shines to others, not our selves.
I speak my skill, I have onely heard on't,
But I could wish a neerer document,
Alas, the ignorant desire to know:
Some say Love's but a toy, and with a but.
Now me thinks I should love it ne'r the worse,
A toy is harmelesse sure, and may be plaid with,
It seldom goes without his adjunct, pretty,
A pretty toy we say, 'tis meeter to joy too.
Well, here may be a mad night yet for all this,
Here's a Priest ready, and a Lady ready:
A chamber ready, and a bed ready,
'Tis then but making unready, and that's soone done:
My Lady is my Cosen; I, my self,
Which is neerest then? My desires are mine,
Say they be hers too, is't a hanging matter?
It may be ventur'd in a worser cause,
I must go question with my conscience:
I have the word; Centinel, do thou stand,
Thou shalt not need to call, I'll he at hand.

Exit.
Enter Antonio and Martin.
Ant.
Are we not dog'd behind us, thinkst thou friend?

Mar.
I heard not one bark, Sir.

Ant.
There are that bite
And bark not (man) me-thought I spy'd two fellows
That through two streets together walk'd aloof,
And wore their eies suspiciously upon us.

Mar.
Your Jealousie, nothing else; or such perhaps
As are afraid as much of us, who knows
But about the like busines? but for your fears sake
I'll advise and entreat one curtesie.

Ant.
What's that friend?

Mar.
I will not be denyed, Sir,
Change your upper garments with me.

Ant.
It needs not.

Mar.
I think so too, but I will have it so,
If you dare trust me with the better Sir.

Ant.
Nay then.

Mar.
If there should be danger towards,
There will be the main mark I'm sure.

Ant.
Here thou tak'st from me.

Mar.
Tush, the General
Must be safe, how ere the Battel goes:
See you the Beacon yonder?

Ant.
Yes, we are neer shore.

Enter 2. Gentlemen with weapons drawn, they set upon Martin: Antonio pursues them out in rescue of Martin.
Mar.
Come, Land, land, you must clamber by the cliffe,
Here are no staires to rise by.

Ant.
I, are you there?

fight and Exeunt.
Enter Aminta above, and Martin return'd again, ascends.
Am.
Antonio?

Mar.
Yes Ismenia.

Am.
Thine owne.

Mar.
Quench the light, thine eies are guides illustrious.

Am.
'Tis necessary.

Exeunt.
Enter Antonio.
Mar.
Your legs have sav'd your lives, who ere you are,
Friend. Martin? where art thou? not hurt I hope:
Sure I was farthest in the pursuit of 'em:
My pleasures are forgotten through my fears:
The lights extinct, it was discreetly done:
They could not but have notice of the broile,
And fearing that might call up company,
Have carefully prevented, and closed up:
I do commend the heed; oh, but my friend,
I fear his hurt: friend? friend? it cannot be
So mortal, that I should lose thee quite, friend?
A groan, any thing that may discover thee:
Thou art not sunk so far, but I might hear thee:
I'll lay mine ear as low as thou canst fall:
Friend, Don Martin, I must answer for thee,
'Twas in my cause thou fell'st, if thou beest downe,
Such dangers stand betwixt us and our joyes,
That should we forethink ere we undertake,
Wee'ld sit at home, and save. What a night's here?
Purpos'd for so much joy, and now dispos'd
To so much wretchednes? I shall not rest in't:
If I had all my pleasures there within,
I should not entertain'em with a smile.
Good night to you: Mine will be black and sad,
A friend cannot, a woman may be bad.

Exit.