 | Love's Labyrinth |  |
Scæne 1.
Enter King of Thessaly, and his daughter Euriphila.Kin.
Daughter, it is enough, we will it, see
You shew your dutie in obeying us;
Since I have made choise of him for my Son,
Accept him for your husband: He's a man
Ancient in virtues, although young in yeares:
He's one whose worth is far beyond his age.
Eur.
Father, it grieves me that the cross Fates have
Forc'd me to hate the man you so much love:
Cupid hath struck me with his leaden dart,
I cannot force my own affections.
Kin.
How's this? you hate him whom I love! can he
Be th'object of your hate, who is alone
The subject of my love and reverence?
He whom the gods in mercie have design'd
The happy Successor unto my crown,
And to your love? Bethink your self again.
Eur.
Great Sir, the gods themselves are subject to
That little deitie of love, can I
Withstand his power, or love against his will?
Force cannot work on love, which must be free,
And uncompell'd, else can it not be true,
Nor lasting. Sir, urge me no more in vain.
Kin.
What a strange change is here! Your will was wont
Freely to stoop to all my just desires;
Is it now grown so stiff, 'twill not be bent
By my commands? I know thou dost but feign.
Eur.
I would obey your will, could I command
Mine own affections, or chuse my love.
Kin,
Do it, or else by Jove, whom I present,
45
Thy words and thoughts agree. Surely to love,
Is natural, why then not to love him,
Whom nature made to be belov'd? He hath
Artillery enough about him to take in
The stoutest heart at the first summons.—Well,
Think on't Euriphila, when I am gone,
I'll leave thee here, Lovers are best alone.
Exit.
| Love's Labyrinth | |