University of Virginia Library

The third Scœne.

To them Franke.
Fran.
Courting her!
George, 'tis not friendly.

Geo.
Mischiefe on suspition.
I've given you all the flattering commendations
That might confirme her love.

Fran.
No more; I thanke thee.

Geo.
I leave yee. Now to my practice of revenge,
And the delight it comprehends within it
Above Elizium.

Exit.
Fran.
Deare, when shall my love
Be happy in enjoying what it makes
The object of desire? Shall this faire morning
Be consecrate to Hymen?

Cice.
Worthy Sir,
Such is the difference 'twixt your birth and fortune,
And my condition (whose inferiour ayme
Dare not be level'd higher then it's equalitie)
Makes (cowards pollicie,) feare, to be th'excuse
Of my delaye. For were you satisfide
With that which you call pleasure; and satietie
Had ta'ne the edge off, what's in me can whet
New appetite, and revive a dying love?
Your estimation branded with the infamy
Of a base choyce: taunts from the mouth of envy:
Aspersions to beget a killing jealousie.
And when you shall reflect—

Fran.
Prethee no more
These needlesse doubts. I'm arm'd with preparations
For my resolves, that no assault can batter.

Cice.
Pardon me sir; there's ground of circumstance
To build a faith on, that your desires end
Is my enjoying for your senses pleasure,
Not the converse which love instructs the soule in.

Fra.
Why should false feares make such a bad construction?
Prethee no more.

Cice.
But I must search you throughly.
Y'are noble sir; and now I will unmaske
This false complexion of an hypocrite,
Which hitherto deluded your opinion
But with a shew of vertue. The truth is
My inclination's wanton; and this day
I meant to make a sale of that, for which
You have so fairely bid: my Maiden-head.
You see I'm fitted for it.

Fran.
What doe I heare?

Cice.
The gentleman that left me, is the Merchant.
A price is likewise set upon the ware.
The time and place of enterchange appointed.
The meanes: a porter in that trunke must carry me
Vnto his chamber: You seeme troubled Sir
At the relation.

Fran.
'Tis to trye me sure:
She cannot meane it. How my thoughts rebell
Against their guide?

Cice.
Troth sir, I must confesse
Your person likes me better, and the love
You have profest deserves my gratitude.
Meete you this porter, and compell him with you;
You shall enjoy me first, and afterwards
When I set up the trade be still more welcome.

Fran.
Should this be earnest, it would make me happy
Above mine owne desire; and should she mock me,
'Twere but returning to my first intents.
Some way I must enjoy her. Shall this practice
Give me those sweets have beene so long deny'd
With counterfeited modesty?

Cice.
Be sure sir;
My Tutor in the Art left me instructions
To take the fairest offer.

Fra.
My reward
Shall treble his. Be constant to my pleasure,
I'le keepe thee like a wife; and serve thy will
With full content.

Cice.
That as your liking pleaseth.
When you are weary, I'le but begg your bounty
For a new wardrobe to set up with.

Fran.
How mans desire
Pursues contentment! 'tis the soule of action,
And the propounded reason of our life.
Yet as the choyce appeares, or grosse or excellent,
We flye not from th'injoying; but are chang'd
In our opinion either of the object,
Or of the meanes that workes it. Why should I
Alter a resolution? The contentment
Is still the same: and a farre easier meanes
Without that tye necessitates the will
To a fixt bounds. Besides, my credit's safe.
To keepe a Mistris youths excuse may serve;
But an inferiour match brands my posteritie,
If equall blood commixe not. Hence then scruple,
And all that frights faint conscience. Sweet I welcome
The freenesse of your kind and loving promise
With as much joy, as can possesse a heart
Made joviall by th'effest of all it's wishes:
Be constant to it.

Cice.
Be you confident;
I cannot be diverted from my purpose:
The end's too pleasant. Pray prepare your selfe;
The time drawes on.

Fran.
And till my expectation
Ends in that full possession of delight,
Times wings are clipt. So farewell sweet till then.

Exit.
Cice.
And farewell base desires. May thy soule lust
Make thee still credulous, till abuse and shame
Teach thee amendment. What an Oratour
Is Sin? that paints it selfe with golden words
Of pleasure and delight; as if the soule
Had it's eternall being and full powers
But for the senses satisfaction:
And their enjoying it Creations end.
Now to our Comedie. Ha! fast asleepe!
This fits our purpose. Lock it fast.

Bella.
Will not the feathers choake him?

Cice.
Hee's arm'd against mischances. Give it the Porter,
I must withdraw.

Exit.
Bella.
Now I perceive
Goodnesse guides all her actions: her minds brightnesse
Out-shines her outward beauty. But what use
Can my misfortune make of't? yes; th'example
Shall teach me how to counterfeit, if I
Can force my passion to it.