University of Virginia Library

SCENA VII.

THIMANTES, CLIDAMANT, PARTHENIA, ISMENIA.
THIMANTES.
Speaking to Melintus behind the Stage.
I am oblig'd to thee for this advertisement;
If J find at the Eccho either of them,
Diana or Ismenia, believe me,
I'l faithfully report it, to remove
Thy trouble, if J can: Ismenia
Appoints me very often here to meet her,
Where, notwithstanding her inconstancy,
Her mouth in secret giveth me the hope
Of a most constant love, and for a pledge
Of her faith, never any but my self
At those hours entertains discourse with her:
I'l to her now, and charge her with this crime
Of comming here without acquainting me.
I'l approach softly without making noise
Lest it might raise a scandal in the night;
Ismenia,

CLIDAMANT.
quitting Parth.
Some noise hath struck mine ear,
I'l return to you—

Exit.
PARTHENIA.
O what feat is comparable
To mine! Ismenia, come to me presently.

Clidamant
, speaking to Thimantes, whom he takes for Melintus.
Melintus, really I can no longer
Suffer your importunity? why should you
Imagine that J am the Author of
Your trouble? J speak to no person here
But to the Shepheardess Ismenia;
J tell thee once again, she sent for me,
And J am certain that the note is written
And signed with her hand; 'tis true, this fair one
Sighs only for the love of me, her mouth
Hath told it me already, and I answer
Unto her fires with a mutual heat;
Assure your self, and settle upon this
My faithfull protestation, that Diana
Ne'r made me sigh.

THIMANTES.
softly.
O most perfidious!

Clidamant.
See what an injury you do me now,
To satisfie you yet more fully hold,
There are the writing Tables, see her name.
Examin't well, and take repose at last
Without disturbing mine. D'ye place your glory
In persecuting me?

THIMANTES.
softly.
Shame of my love,
Depart my memory, J have wherewith
Both to reproach, and to convict thy falshood;
And when I've done it, treacherous spirit, I'l quit thee,
And then J shall be satisfied.

Clidamant.
Melintus,
What is't thou, murmur'st yet? J must break with thee,
If this strange humour lasts, in acting thus,
You will lose all your friends, your jealous head,
And strange fantastick humours, but he's gone;
I will return unto the object which
Both charms and loves me.

PARTHENIA
, to ISMENIA.
There's our discourse,
Make an end on't thy self.

Clidamant.
I'm rid at last
Of my impertinent; jealous Melintus
Hath left me now.

Ismenia.
Adieu, let us retire.
I'm certainly inform'd that thy ambition
Aspireth to Parthenia, in vain then
Thou holdest me discourse.

CLIDAMANT.
In two words J will tell thee, that J have
Too full a knowledge of the eminence
Of her condition, as to dare to lift
My hope so high: Oh if I durst to love her;
But being less ambitious, I obey
My duty, and J better know my self,
Adieu until to morrow.

PARTHENIA
, to ISMENIA.
Oh Ismenia!
What content have J? and how skilfull art thou
In this affair of love? I do admire
Thy wit, and thy invention; the thing
Answered my wish.

Ismenia.
By this discourse of his
You may perceive love under that respect,
Like fire under its ashes; 'tis not lately,
Your charms have taken him.

PARTHENIA.
In the mean time—

ISMENIA.
In the mean time, live all fair wits, say J;
Without me, you had been reduc'd unto
A sad condition, to die with grief,
And love, without expressing it.

PARTHENIA.
'Tis late;
Come, in the absence of the day let's prove,
If sleep will follow on the steps of love.