University of Virginia Library

Scen. 3.

Vrania.
Amy.
O my Vrania, welcome,
Amyntas bids thee so, I that 'till now
Was not Amyntas: come my joy, and meet mee
Full of our happinesse!

Vra.
Grant Ceres now
My hopes be faithfull to me: my Amyntas,
How come your thoughts so setled?

Amyn.
O Vrania,
Here, here he stands, to whom I owe my selfe,
And thou owest me: we reverence in our Temples
Marble, and brasse, whose statues serve for nothing
But to hang cobwebs on: oh! how much rather
Should we adore this Deity, that bestowed
Such happinesse upon us!

Vra.
Would we knew.
How to deserve it.

Cla.
So you may Vrania,
If you will grant me one request.

Vra.
Command it.

Cla.
I would intreat you presently to vow
Virginity to Ceres, that Amyntas
No more may toyle his brain in thinking what
To give you for a Dowry.

Vra.
Sir, J will
Presently about it, I'le only first
Get some unknown disguise.

Claius.
I dare stay here
No longer, for I must begon ere yet
The light betrayes me.

Vra.
Happinesse attend you!

Cla.
Remember it Vrania.

Amyn.
Farewell father.

Exeunt Vran. Amynt. Thestyl.
Claius Solus.
Clai.
Thus like a bat, or owle I spend my age
In night or darknesse, as asham'd of day,
And fearefull of the light: the sunne and I
Dare never be acquainted. O guilt, guilt,
Thou and thy daughter feare are punishments
Perpetuall, every whistling of the wind
Doth seeme the noise of apprehenders; shadowes
Affright me more then men. Each step I tread
Is danger. Life? why to live longer should we
Not live at all: I heare a noise: false timorousnesse
Deceive me not,—my eyes instruct me too,
Heaven shield me—