University of Virginia Library

Scæne 3.

Enter Demetrius and Leontius.
Dem.
Let me but see her deare Leontius;
Let me but dye before her.

Leo.
Would that would doe it:
If I knew where she lay now, with what honestie,
You having flung so maine a mischiefe on her,
And on so innocent and sweet a Beautie,
Dare I present your visit?

Dem.
Ile repent all:
And with the greatest sacrifice of sorrow
That ever Lover made.

Leo.
Twill be too late sir:
I know not what will become of you.

Dem.
You can help me.

Le.
It may be to her sight: what are you nearer;
She has sworne she will not speake to ye looke upon ye,
And to love ye againe, O she cries out, and thunders,
She had rather love—there is no hope—

Dem.
Yes Leontius,
There is a hope, which though it draw no love to it,
At least will draw her to lament my fortune,
And that hope shall relieve me.

Leo.
Harke ye sir, harke ye:
Say I should bring ye—

Dem.
Do not trifle with me?

Leo.
I will not trifle; both together bring ye,
You know the wrongs ye' done.

Dem.
I do confesse 'em.

Leo.
And if you should then jump into your fury,
And have another querke in your head.

Dem.
I'le dye first.

Leo.
You must say nothing to her; for 'tis certaine,
The nature of your crime will admit no excuse.

Dem.
I will not speake, mine eyes shall tell my penance.

Leo.
You must looke wondrous sad too.

Dem.
I need not looke so,
I am truly sadnesse selfe.

Leo.
That looke will do it:
Stay here, I'le bring her to you instantly:
But take heed how you beare your selfe: sit down there,
The more humble you are, the more she'l take compassion
Women are per'lous things to deale upon.

Exit.
Dem.
What shall become of me? to curse my fortune,
Were but to curse my father; that's too impious;
But under whatsoever fate I suffer,
Blesse I beseech thee heaven her harmlesse goodnesse.

Enter Leontius and Celia.
Leo.
Now arme your selfe.

Cel.
You have not brought him?

Leo.
Yes faith,
And there he is: you see in what poore plight too,
Now you may doe your will, kill him, or save him.

Cel.
I will goe back.

Leo.
I will be hang'd then Lady,
Are yee a coward now?

Cel.
I cannot speak to him.

Dem.
O me.

Leo.
There was a sigh to blow a Church downe;
So, now their eyes are fixt, the small shot playes,
They will come toth' batterie anon.

Cel.
He weeps extreamly.

Leo.
Raile at him now.

Cel.
I dare not.

Leo.
I am glad on't.

Cel.
Nor dare beleeve his teares.

Dem.
You may blest beauty,
For those thicke streames that troubled my repentance,
Are crept out long agoe.

Leo.
You see how he looks.

Cel.
What have I to doe how he looks? how lookt he then,
When with a poisoned truth he bit mine honour,
It was your counsell too, to scorne and slight him.

Leo.
I, if ye saw fit cause; and you confest too,
Except this sin, he was the bravest gentleman,
The sweetest, noblest: I take nothing from ye,
Nor from your anger; use him as you please:
For to say truth, he has deserved your justice;
But still consider what he has been to you.

Cel.
Pray doe not blinde me thus.

Dem.
O gentle Mistris,
If there were any way to expiate
A sinne so great as mine, by intercession,
By praiers, by daily teares, by dying for ye:
O what a joy would close these eyes that love ye.

Leo.
They say women have tender hearts, I know not,
I am sure mine melts.

Cel.
Sir, I forgive ye heartily,
And all your wrong to me I cast behind me,
And wish ye a fit beauty to your vertues:
Mine is too poore, in peace I part thus from you;
I must look back: gods keep your Grace: he's here still.

Ex.
Dem.
She has forgiven me.

Leo.
She has directed ye:
Up, up, and follow like a man: away sir,
She lookt behind her twice: her heart dwels here sir,
Ye drew teares from her too: she cannot freeze thus;
The doore's set open too, are ye a man?
Are ye alive? doe ye understand her meaning?
Have ye bloud and spirit in ye?

Dem.
I dare not trouble her.

Leo.
Nay, and you will be nipt i'th' head with nothing,
Walke whining up and downe; I dare not, I cannot:
Strike now or never: faint heart, you know what sir—
Be govern'd by your feare, and quench your fire out.
A devill on't stands this doore ope for nothing:
So get ye together, and be naught: now to secure all,
Will I go fetch out a more soveraigne plaister.

Ex.