![]() | Argalvs and Parthenia | ![]() |
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So wrong thy noble thoughts, as once t'allow
That cursed name a roome, within thy brest,
Let not so foule a prodigy be blest
With thy lost breath; Let it be held a sin
Too great for pardon, e're to name't agen;
Let darknesse hide it in eternall night;
May it be clad with horror, to affright
A desp'rate conscience; He that knowes not how
To mouthe a curse, O let him practise now
Vpon this name; Let him that would contract
The body of all mischiefe, or extract
The quint'ssence of all sorrowes, onely claime
A secret priuiledge to vse that name:
Far be it from thy language, to commit
So soule a sin, as once to mention it:
Liue happy Arg'lus; doe not thou partake
In these my miseries: O forbeare to make
My burthen greater, by thy tender sorrow;
Alas, my heart is strong, and needs not borrow
Thy needlesse helpe: O be not thou so cruell
To feed my flaming fiers, with thy fuell;
Why dost thou sigh? O wherefore should thy heart
Vsurpe my stage, and act Parthenia's part?
It is my proper taske: what dost thou meane,
Without my licence, to intrude my Sceane?
Alas! thy sorrowes ease not my distresse;
God knowes, I weepe not one poore teare the lesse:
My patent's sign'd and past; whereby appeares
That I haue got the Monopoly of teares:
In me, let each mans torment finde an end:
I am that Sea, to which all Riuers tend:
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Take teares on trust, and set them on my score.
And as she spake that word, his heart not able
To beare a language so vnsufferable,
But being swolne so big, must either breake
Or vent, his darkned reason grew too weake
T'oppose his quickned passion (like a man
Transported from himselfe) he thus began;
![]() | Argalvs and Parthenia | ![]() |