University of Virginia Library

Scene 1.

Enter Roderiguez and Priest.
Pri.
So smile the Heav'ns upon this holy Act,
That future houres with sorrow chides us not:

Rod.
Amen! Amen! but come what sorrow can,
It cannot countervail the exchange of Joy,
Do then but close our hands with sacred words:
Then Love-devouring death do what he dare:
It is enough, that I but call her mine.

Pri.
These violent delights have violent ends:
And in their triumph die like fire and powder,
Which, as they kiss, consume: the sweetest honey
Is loathsome in its own deliciousness,
And in the taste, confounds the appetite:
Therefore love moderately, long love doth so,
Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow.
Enter Varina.
Is this the Lady? Oh! so light a foot
Will ne're wear out the flint, or bruise the street,
A Lover may bestride the Gossameres,
That idle in the wanton Summer-air:
And yet not fall: so light is vanity.

Var.
Good even to my Ghostly Father!

Pri.
Daughter,
Thy spouse shall give thee thanks here for us both.

Var.
As much to him, else is his thanks too much.

Rod.
Varina, if the measure of thy joy
Be heap'd like mine, and that thy skill be more
To blason it, then sweeten with thy breath
This neighbour Aire, and let rich Musicks tongue
Unfold th'imagin'd happiness, that both
Receive in either by this dear encounter.

(Kisses her)
Var.
Conceit more rich in matter, then in words
Brags of his substance, not of Ornament,
They are but beggers that can count their worth:
But my true Love is grown to such excess,
I cannot sum the sum of half my wealth.

Pri.
Come! come with me, and holy rites shall give
A fiat to your Love: I'll joyne those hands
(As you have done your hearts) in Hymens bands.

Exeunt.