 | The Enchanted Lovers |  |
SCENA I.
CLIDAMANT, PARTHENIA.CLIDAMANT.
Mine eyes and ears ne'r saw, nor heard the like
The miserable cryes of those poor Lovers
Fill all these places with astonishment.
Thersander and Diana are so chang'd,
I could scarce know them, as I now came from them:
Pale death by turns skipping from face to face,
Can't make them yet to dye unto their love:
But, Madam, is it true what's publish'd here
Among the people, that those strange inchantments
Come from Melissa?
PARTHENIA.
Yes, they are the works
Of her Art, without doubt, she could do more yet
Nothing's too hard for her, the destiny
Of mortals seems to be held in her hands,
And as she pleaseth, she disposeth it.
What can she not do, when she is in choler?
The miserable Thirsis feels th'effect,
And rigour of her power by sad experience.
Hath not fame yet inform'd you with his sufferings?
CLIDAMANT.
Yes, Madam, J have heard them fully spoken.
PARTHENIA.
You know then that he lov'd Roselia,
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And desire of the Nymph who hitherto
Design'd him for my husband, and knows not
That I have love for you; to her commands
This Shepheard was Rebellious: what did she?
Roselia was fair, she became sick;
She wept, she pined, she complain'd; the brightnes
Of her fair eyes, extinguish'd in a moment:
The whiteness of her Lillies as soon faded;
And of so many beauties there remain'd
Only the place, where sometime their seat was,
Her Lover that perceiv'd her taken from him,
Seeks her in every place, but cannot find her:
That was a Master-piece of her Apprentiship;
But this without doubt is another work
Of higer knowledge; if in her resentment
But for my interest she made poor Thirsis
A miserable Lover, judge how far
She may be carried, mov'd at her offence,
In her revenge own interest.
CLIDAMANT.
If the Nymph knew the love I have for you,
I could expect no other usage from her;
She would without doubt cause me to be carried
unto some fearfull Island where I should
Be rendered miserable all my days:
But let her art do what it can against me
Imployed by her hate, it shall work nothing
Upon my faith, to do it prejudice:
Oh! could I flatter me with the same hope,
That you would have like constancy for me!
PARTHENIA.
You need not doubt of it, I'm wholly yours,
My love is strong, and little fears her anger;
I'l keep it still sincere and firm unto you:
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Should she destroy me with her power, & kil me
I'le rather dye my self, then my affection.
My life can't pay the debt J owe unto you.
| The Enchanted Lovers | |