University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Enter Galathea and Aminta met by Phillander and Alcander.
Phi.
So hasty Sister!

Gall.
Brother, I am glad to meet you.
Aminta has some welcom news for you.

Amin.
My Lord!
Erminia yet is hardly brought to yield,
She wants but some encouragement from you,
That may assist her weakness to subdue,
And 'twas but faintly she deny'd to see you.

Phi.
However, I will venture,
She can but chide, and that will soon be past:
A Lover's Anger is not long to last.

Amin.
Isillia, I have won to give you entrance.

Phi.
Love furnish me with powerful Arguments:
Direct my tongue that my disorder'd sence,
May speak my passion more then Eloquence.

[aside.
Gall.
But is Alcippus gone?

Alcan.
Madam, an houre since.

Phi.
'Tis well; and Sister,
Whilst I perswade Erminia to this flight;
Make it your business to perswade the King,
Hang on his neck, and kiss his willing cheek:
Tell him how much you love him, and then smile,
And mingle words with kisses; 'twill or'ecome him:
Thou hast a thousand pretty flatteries.
Which have appeas'd his highest fits of passion:
A Song from thee has won him to that rest,
Which neither toil nor silence could dispose him to.
Thou know'st thy power, and now or never use it.

Gall.
'Twas thither I was going.

Phi.
Mayst thou be prosperous.

[Exeunt Phi. & Gal.
Aminta and Alcander stay.
Am.
What now Alcander?

Alcan.
As 'twas Aminta.

Am.
How's that?

Alcan.
Such a distracted lover as you left me.

Am.
Such as I found you too, I fear, Alcander.

Alcan.
Ah Madam do not wrong me so,
Till now I never knew the joys and sorrows
That do attend a soul in love like mine,
My passion only fits the object now,
I hate to tell you so, 'tis a poor low means
To gain a Mistress by, of so much wit,
Aminta you're above that common rate
Of being won.
Mean beauties should be flatter'd into praise,
Whilst you need only sighs from every lover
To tell you who you conquer, and not how,
Nor to instruct you what attracts you have.

Am.
This will not serve to convince me,
But you have lov'd before,

Alcan.
And will you never quit that error madam?

Am.
'Tis what I've reason to believe, Alcander
And you can give me none for loving me, for
I'me much unlike Lucinda whom you ey'd,
I'me not so coy, nor so reserv'd as she;
Nor so designing as Florana your next Saint,
Who starv'd you up with hope, till you grew weary,
And then Ardelia did restore that loss,
The little soft Ardelia, kind and fair too.

Alcan.
You think you're wondrous witty now, Aminta.
But hang me if you be.

Am.
Indeed, Alcander, no, 'tis simple truth,
Then for your bouncing Mistress, long Brunetta,
O that Majestick garb, 'tis strangely taking
That scornful look, and eyes that strike all dead that stand Beneath them,
Alcander, I have none of all these charmes,
But well, you say you love me; could you be
Content to dismiss these petty sharers in your heart,
And give it all to me: on these conditions
I may do much.

Alcan.
Aminta, more perhaps then I may like,

Am.
Do not fear that Alcander.

Alc.
Your jealousie incourages that fear.

Am.
If I be so, I'me the fitter for your humour.

Alcan.
That's another reason for my fears; that's ill
Luck ows us a spight, and will be sure to pay us with
Loving one another, a thought I dread,
Farewell Aminta; when I can get loose from
Ardelia, I may chance wait on you, till then
Your own Pride be your companion,

Am.
Nay, you shall not go Alcander.

[holds him.
Alcan.
Fy on't, those looks have lost their wonted force.
I knew you'd call'd me back to smile upon me,
And then you have me sure; no, no, Aminta,
I'le no more of that,

[goes out.
Am.
I have too much betray'd my passion for him,
—I must recall it, I if I can I must,
—I will—for should I yield, my power's orethrown,
And what's a woman when that glory's gone.

[Exeunt.