 | Imperiale, a tragedie |  |
Scena Secunda.
Doria disguised. Angelica. Nugella.Dor.
I shall not be discover'd by my voyce,
Jtalian Virgins are at distance woed,
And more by fame, then verball courtship won:
This speakes my errand, leaves no circumstance
To be related by the messenger;
See how her bloud retires, to ayde her heart,
So lookes bright Phœbe, when Thessalian charmes
Strike her with feare, or th'early Rose, whose beauty
Nipt by a later frost, appeares like snow:
Now it returnes, and settles in her cheekes,
As if the newes tooke no impression:
Such orient beames when youthfull day returnes,
By the bedewed Shepheard are beheld.
Ang.
I may suppose you, sir, not ignorant
Of what you bring; and may beleeve y'have heard
Some thing of yong Prince Doria and me.
Dor.
Lady, I have; fame with her silver trumpet
Hath blaz'd your constant loves.
Ang.
And are you not
Strangely amaz'ed to see me reade these lines
Without a shower of teares?
Dor.
If they relate
Those ancient Worthies, that had bravely learn'd
To conquer passion at the first assault.
Nug.
You think yong women very impatient
To have their joyes defen'd: my Ladie's wise
To beare it thus, so long as he is safe.
Ang.
Hee's dead, Nugella; the great Generall
Writes me, that he having the sole command
Of an important place, forsooke the same,
And in his swift retrait, receiv'd a shot
I'th hinder part of's head.
Nug.
O dolefull accident!
Ang.
Canst thou be so ingratefull to my Doria,
To lend it such a serious beliefe
As may deserve a teare?
Nug.
I would I durst
Suspect what comes so to our woe confirm'd.
Ang.
Were it confirm'd by the unerring seale
Of this wise State, it should not merit faith.
Nug.
Alas, he was not to be thought immortall.
Ang.
But was he not to be acknowledg'd valiant?
That attribute his foes did not deny him:
Had these contrived lines contain'd but this,
Brave Doria's slaine, a torrent, hence, had gusht,
That like Alpheus, had through earth and sea
Wander'd unmixt, till in the gulfe of death,
It should have lost it selfe in seeking him.
But when I finde impossibilities
Basely obtruded, my true love disdaines
To lend beliefe to any circumstance.
Mars could as soone be frighted from his spheare,
As he from any charge he undertooke:
'Tis a malitious scandall; and although
My nature ev'n abhors to use a stranger
With any incivility, yet I'm forc't
To taxe the bearer with this vilde imposture.
Dor.
By great Saint George, the Patron of this State,
Doria himselfe is not more innocent.
Ang.
That name is sacred, let me then conjure thee
Dor.
I shall.
Ang.
Was there before you left the Army,
Any report of this sad newes you brought?
Dor.
I dare not say there was.
Ang.
The Pallace cracks
When such a pillar fals, the Generall
One of those many which my fortune wood,
Envious that Doria gain'd both that and me:
And knowing well, that valour alwaies is
The speciall obiect of a noble love,
Attempted thus to shake my constancy:
But if the fates should prove so cruell to me,
To make me survive him; this is my vow,
To stand for ever like sad Niobe,
A weeping statue to his memory.
Dor.
Never did such a vertuous courage reft
In the calme harbour of a Virgins brest.
| Imperiale, a tragedie | |