University of Virginia Library

The second Scene

Enter Prince alone.
Prince.
Coo'd I but compass, what I so desire,
And what with reason too, I do admire:
Then shoo'd I think my self, a Prince indeed,
And to desire, shoo'd never more have need.
Had I been Childe, unto some Countrey blade,
Or to some meaner person of a trade,
I might have chosen, where I might have lov'd,
And from my Mistriss, never been remov'd:
VVhereas, being born a Prince, and so more free,
I am less master, of my liberty.
I cannot marry, but I must ask leave,
And from my Subjects, order too receive.
Perhaps take one, I can by no means love,
Because some reason, in the State does move.
Unhappy reason, so to force ones faith,
For one, for whom, he no affection hath.
Princes in love, less happy are I vow,
Then maids that milk, or men that go to plow.
And how, and how, does our affair succeed,
Nonantious enters.
Does she believe, my soul for hers does bleed?
How does she relish, and disgest my love?
Will she be kind? or will she cruel prove?

Non.
Implease your Highness, I have done my best,
Not any thing omitting, unexprest;
Which might perswade, and move her to believe;
Yet for all that, she cannot it conceive.
She sayes her faith, is not so sawcy yet,
To let her entertain, and harbour it.
That she her birth, and breeding, knows too well,
To e're permit, in her, such thoughts shoo'd dwell.
Unto which words, I presently reply'd,
Your Highness, was so royally ally'd,
You had enough, both for your self, and her,
And that you vertue, did 'fore birth prefer.

Prince.
Well, thereunto, what answer did she make?
Coo'd not that argument, her captive take?

Nonant.
Good faith Sir no, she seem'd thereat to scoff,
And rather nearer, to be farther off.
All the fine words, I coo'd invent and make,
Had not the pow'r, her constancy to shake.
I told her to be wife, unto a King,
Was not, no little, nor no common thing:
No more then for to have, at her command,
So many Nobles, bare-head for to stand.
All which she heard, but with so cold an ear,
That she did seem to hearken, but not hear.
A Virgin she's resolv'd, to live and die,
And so she bid me tell, your Majestie.

Prince.
Good Heavens! is't possible she can be so,
Both to her self, and to her Prince a foe?
If that my person, cannot make her love,
Has not a Crown, the power her to move?
Of what cold earth, has nature her compos'd,
Against all reason, so to be dispos'd?
She will not wed, then wherefore was she made?
If that she will not, with us mortals trade?
Yet I will not the siege, raise for this blow,
But will her mind, in my own person know.

Exeunt.