University of Virginia Library

Scæn. 1.

Enter Francelia and Bellamino.
Franc.
Fie, leave this importunity, my Lord,
I shall yield else, by this kiss I shall.

Bell.
By this, and this, and this, thou shalt:
Heavens, what a breath is here!
Thy father fed on musk and amber
When he begot thee, sure; the wanton air
Chaf'd by the hot scents of Arabick spices
Is nothing nigh so sweet; the Ambrosia
The Gods themselves were drunk with,
Dwells on thy lips.

(Enter Florelio senior.)
Franc.
Come, come, you flatter,
'Tis on yours, my Lord.

Bell.
On mine! alas, Nature gave us the prickles,
You the roses, but meant that they should grow together.

[Kisses again.]
Franc.
So, so, what if the King or Florelio saw ye?

Bell.
What if they did? I can fear nothing now
But surfeits: Come, we lose time, my Fairest,
Do we not? this is the minute—

[Kisses her again]
Flor.
By heaven this is not fair, Madam.

Franc.
Wonder strikes me dumb.

Exit.
Flor.
How does she kiss, Favorite?

Bell.
Who, my Lord?

Flor.
My wife, my Lord: draw, draw, or by all my hopes,
My rage will make me turn a murderer.

Bell.
Not so easily—

[They fight]
Flor.
Hold, let's breathe: Why should I do him right,
Who has done me such wrong? or die for her
That will not live for me—
[Puts up]
Go enjoy her—

[Offers to go out]
Bell.
Soft—
[Pulls him back]
You have stolne a secret here
That you must give again, or take my life—draw.

Flor.
Prethee disturb me not.

Bell.
No, unless you promise never to disclose
What you have here discover'd,
This must be the passage.

[Stands betwixt the door and him.]
Flor.
Hum! I will be mute, credit me,
I will not speak one word.

[Offers to go out again]
Bell.
Nay—
[Pulls him back]
You must swear it too.

Flor.
If I must, I must.—By heaven
And by my honor—How tame a thing
A Cuckold is!—

Exit.
Bell.
S'death, why did I let him go?
We can no more subsist together
Then fire and water—
—One of us two must die;
And charity tells me, better he then I.
But how? it is not for my honor
To kill him basely—
(Studies)
Nor is it for hers to kill him otherwise;
The whole Court will ghess the quarrel,
If it be a Duel—
(Studies again)
It is decreed; No matter which way, so he fall:
Mine, in respect of hers, are no respects at all.

Exit.