University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Enter Alcippus and Pisaro.
Pis.
'Tis much, my Lord, you'll not be satisfyed.

Alcip.
Friendship's too near a kin to love Pisaro,
To leave me any peace, whilst in your eyes
I read Reserves, which 'tis not kind to hide;
—Come prithee tell me what the quarrel was,
And who 'twas with, thou shalt my dear Pisaro.

Pis.
Nay, now you urge me to impossibilities,
Good faith, I cannot tell, but guess the Prince.

Alcip.
'Tis true, Pisaro, 'twas indeed the Prince.
But what was th' occasion?

Pis.
He call'd me Spy, and I return'd th' affront,
But took no notice that he was my Prince;
It was a folly I repented of;
But 'twas in a damn'd melancholy Mood.

Alcip.
Was it a going in or coming out.

Pis.
From whence?

Alcip.
Erminia's Chamber, prithee let me know,
For I have fears that take away my sleep,
Fears that will make me mad, stark mad, Pisaro.

Pis.
You do not well to fear without a cause.

Alcip.
Oh friend, I saw what thou canst ne're conceive;
Last night I saw it when I came from thee:
And if thou go'st about t'impose upon me,
I'le cast thee from my soul; Come out with it,
I see thy brest heave with a generous ardour,
As if it scorn'd to harbor a reserve,
Which stood not with its Amity to me.
Could I but know my fate, I could despise it:
But when 'tis clad in Robes of innocence,
The devil cannot 'scape it:
Something was done last night that gnaws my heart-strings;
And many things the Princess too let fall,
Which, Gods! I know not how to put together,
And prithee be not thou a Ridler too:
But if thou know'st of ought that may concern me,
Make me as wise as thou art.

Pis.
Sir. you are of so strange a jealous Humour,
And so strangely jealous of your Honour,
That 'twixt us both we may make work enough,
But on my soul I know no wrong you have.

Alcip.
I must beleeve thee, yet methinks thy face
Has put on an unwonted gravity.

Pis.
That, Alcippus, you'll not wonder at,
When you shall know you are my Rival.

Alcip.
Nay, why shouldst thou delay me thus with stories?
This shall not put me off.

Pis.
Sir, I'm in earnest, you have gain'd that heart,
For which I've receiv'd so many wounds,
Venturing for Trophies where none durst appear,
To gain at my Return one single smile:
Or that she would submit to hear my story:
And when sh' has said, 'twas bravely done, Pisaro,
I thought the glory recompenc'd the toile,
And sacrific'd my Lawrels at her feet.
Like those who pay their first-fruits to the Gods,
To beg a blessing on the following crop.
And never made her other signs of love,
Nor knew I that I had that easie flame,
Till by her eyes I found that she was mortal,
And could love too, and that my friend is you.

Alcip.
Thou hast amaz'd me, prethee speak more clearly.

Pis.
My Lord, the Princess has a passion for you,
Have I not reason now to be your enemy?

Alcip.
Not till I make returns:
But now I'm past redemption miserable.
'Twas she Erminia told me dy'd for me;
And I believ'd it but a slight of hers,
To put me from my Courtship.

Pis.
No 'twas a fatall truth,
Alcippus hadst thou seen her, whilst the Priest
Was giving thee to fair Erminia
What languishment appear'd upon her eyes?
(Which never were remov'd from thy lov'd face,)
Through which her melting soul in drops distill'd,
As if she meant to wash away thy sin,
In giving up that right belong'd to her,
Thou hadst without my aid found out this truth,
A sweet composure dwelt upon her looks
Like Infants who are smiling whilst they dye,
Nor knew she that she wept, so unconcern'd
And freely did her soul a passage find,
Whilst I transported had almost forgot
The Reverence due t'her sacred self and place,
And every moment ready was to kneel
And with my lips gather the pretious drops
And rob'd the Holy Temple of a Relique,
Fit only there t'inhabit.

Alcip.
I never thought thou'dst had this softness in thee,
How cam'st thou friend to hide all this from me?

Pis.
My Lord, I knew not that I was a lover;
I felt no flame, but a Religious ardour,
That did inspire my soul with adoration,
And so remote I was from ought but such
I knew not hope, nor what it was to wish
For other blessings then to gaze upon her,
Like Heaven I thought she was to be possess't
Where carnall thoughts can no admittance find,
And had I not perceav'd her love to you,
I had not known the nature of my flame,
But then I found it out by jealousie,
And what I took for a Seraphick motion
I now decline as criminal and earthly.

Alcip.
When she can love to a discovery,
Declares her passion eminent and high
—But I am married—to a maid that hates me;
What help for that Pisaro?
And thou hast something too to say of her,
What was't; for now thou hast undone me quite.

Pis.
I have nought to say to her dishonour, Sir,
But something may be done may give you cause
To stand upon your Guard;
And if your Rage do not the Mastery get,
I cannot doubt but you'll be happy yet.

Alcip.
Without Erminia that can hardly be,
And yet I find a certain shame within
That will not suffer me to see the Princess,
I have a kind of war within my soul,
My Love against my Glory and my Honour,
And I could wish,—Alass I know not what,
Prethee instruct me.

Pis.
Sir take a resolution to be calm
And not like men in love abandon reason:
—You may observe the actions of these lovers,
But be not passionate what ere you find.
That head-strong Divel will undo us all.
If you'le be happy quit its company.

Alcip.
I fain would take thy counsell—

[pawses.
Pis.
—Come clear up my Lord, and do not hang the head
Like Flowers in storms; the Sun will shine again.
Set Gallateas charms before your eyes,
Think of the glory to divide a Kingdom.
And do not waste your Noble youth and time,
Upon a peevish heart you cannot gain.
This day you must to th' Camp, and in your absence
I take upon me what I scorn'd last night,
The office of a Spy—
Believe me, Sir; for by the Gods I swear,
I never wisht the glory of a Conquest
With half that zele as to compose these differences.

Alcip.
I do believe thee, and will tell thee something
That past between the Prince and I last night,
And then thou wilt conclude me truly miserable.

[Exeunt.