University of Virginia Library

SCENA I.

MELISSA, DIANA.
Melissa.
I say to thee again that I receive
Much pleasute at this news, that thou, Diana,
Art sister to the generous Thersander;
He hath inform'd me with the strange misfortune
Which separated on the churlish Sea
The Brother from the Sister, in what place
Upon a plank, escaped from the wrack,
The storm remov'd him from the anger of
Th'inraged Sea, what countries he hath seen,
What pains and troubles he hath undergone;
Lastly he nam'd the happy fortune which
Conducted him to us here; I thank Heaven,
That made thee know him, I'm as sensible
Of this content as thou canst be thy self;
He is so highly qualified, that he's worthy
The name of King, ye both shal find with me
A Sanctuary, and what ever fortune
Ye have, I will partake it good or bad;
My fortunes, ye shall share too, so that all things
Between us shall be common: I believe
Diana towards me will be so well
Dispos'd of her part, and that whatsoever
Concerns me, will touch her.

Diana.
Madam, I should
Be barbarously ingratefull otherwise;
I still remember that being on the Shore,
Cast as a wretched wrack there by the floods,
Expecting every minute deaths approach,
I met with you my port and sanctuary:
Oh that I have not power for all this goodness
T'express how much acknowledgement I have!

MELISSA.
Thou hast.

DIANA.
How Madam?

MELISSA.
In expecting nothing
But death as I do now, thou canst be to me
At thy turn both my port and sanctuary;
Thou canst subdue the enemy that braves me,
That of a Soveraign will make a slave;
He's in thy power, thou canst abate his courage.

Diana.
What is that enemy which troubles you?

Melissa.
He's one whose Magick can enchant the arms
Of the most Valiant; he can draw tears from
The most Heroick; nothing is so strong,
Which he can't compass; and without respect
To any place or person whatsoever,
He equally distributeth his flames.

Diana.
I know him not yet by this Character.

MELISSA.
How know'st thou not that tyrant of great Monarcks?
That famous Conqueror of Conquerours,
Who notwithstanding is but a blind child?

Diana.
If J durst to express me, J believe,
I know him.

MELISSA.
Speak it freely.

Diana.
I'm mistaken,
Or I have seen love painted in such colours,
Blind and a child, yet a great Conquerour.

MELISSA.
'Tis the same love whereof I speak unto thee

DIANA.
Who is the happy Lover that procures
Your martyrdome?

MELISSA.
Alas! could'st thou not spare me
The shame to speak him? cover, gentle night,
Immediately those places and my brow
With the same colour, so to please my heat;
I love; but let us finish since I've said
I love, Thersander is my object.

Diana.
What,
My Brother?

MELISSA.
He. If his heart be a prize
Not easie to be gain'd, there's nothing which
I would spare for him, I would arm to have him;
Nought should oppose me, every obstacle
J would o'rcome; already by some words
Which he observ'd not, spoken by the bie,
My love was half expressed.

Diana.
As he should not
Dare to pretend unto so great an honour,
He would be criminal, if he believed
To understand you.

MELISSA.
Well then, be thou here
The mouth and true interpreter of my heart,
Express the kind heat of my timerous soul;
Tell him that I'm a subject to his Laws,
That he may boldly fix his thoughts upon
The person of Melissa, and not fear
To be condemn'd, that his ambition
May soar so high a pitch, and not be check'd,
That he may sigh the same sighs with a King;
Husband thar heart for me, to which mine aims;
But let him not think that it comes from me;
My honour would receive a prejudice
By such a thought, thou only shalt acquaint him
With this, as from thy self.

Diana.
J understand you,
He must needs yield to this; I'l do your will.

MELISSA.
As soon as he appears, I will retire me,
And from one of these places I shall hear
Every word that you speak one to another
In reference to my flame.

Diana.
I should methinks
Act with more freeness, if J were to treat
With him alone.

MELISSA.
No, J will hear my self
What he thinks of me, J can best of all
Trust mine own ears and eyes in this affair.

Diana.
But, Madam, after all—

MELISSA.
Shepheardess,
The thing's resolv'd, thou need'st not say no more.
Untill he come, J pray thee, entertain
These woods here with some air, and let us see
If the Eccho will answer to thy discourse;

Diana.
Your prayer is a command; some plaints of love
Shall make the subject of it.

MELISSA.
DIANAS Song.
Eccho.
Eccho.