University of Virginia Library


64

Scena quarta.

Corisca.
Fortune beyond my wish hath favoured me:
“And fit it is that they should favour'd be
“Who not with wishings onely seek her favour.
“Pow'rfull she is; and men with reason have her
“In reputation of a Goddesse. But
“We must go meet her then, wait a foot
“To finde her humours; and must use our own
“Judgement in playing of our game: a drone
“Seldome or never doth prove fortunate.
Had not my industry made me the Mate
Of her by whom under the name of friend
I have fit means and safe to work my end,
Where had I been? Some fool would now be shie,
And view her Rivall with a jealous eye,
Bearing the open tokens of ill will
Writ in her forehead; and she would do ill:
“For open foes are easier to evade
“Then ambushes that are in friendship laid.
“Wise Mariners by rocks hid in the sea
“Are oft deceiv'd: She knowes not how to be
“An enemy, that knows not how to seem
“A friend. Corisca's skill shall now be seen

65

In both: Nor am I yet so simply dull
To think she doth not love. Well may she gull
Others with this, not me; who am gone out
A Mistresse in the Art. A tender sprout
New peept out of the bark, within whose brest
There's built for Love already a soft nest,
Long woo'd, and woo'd by so compleat a Lover,
And (which is worst) kist too over and over,
And yet hold tyte? Believe't (for me) that list.
But my good Genius doth me assist;
For look if Amarillis come not here
As sent? I'le walk as if I did not see her.