University of Virginia Library

SCENA, 1.

The Prince, Aurindo; several wayes.
Prince.
Aurindo welcome, I have awaited thee
just as the trembling prisoner at the bar
suspended 'twixt hope and fear, awaits his doom,
and what is't ha? dost bring me life or death?

Au.
Life, life, assure your self my Lord,
or else I shud not live to tell it you;
had rather dye my self a hundred times
then bring you death.

Pri.
Thanks gentle Aurindo.
I know thou lovest me.

Au.
You know nothing yet
compar'd to what I hope you'l know e're long.

Prin.
Well hast' been there?

Au.
I have my Lord.

Pri.
And how didst finde her, ha?

Au.
Beyond expectation kinde,
she hearkened to me, and that
is half consent, and th'other half y'are to
expect e're long:
well I say nothing but
there are those in Missena here,
who love you, dearly love you;
I can tell you that my Lord,
though I am sworn yet not to tell their names.

Pr.
Come prithy tell me.

Au.
Let it suffice 'tis one
you'd least imagine, one you'l shortly know,
and I hope be happy in her knowledge too.

Pr.
Enough, enough, I know then it is she,
for there's none else in nature can make me
happy, but Erminia. O my dear Aurindo
how thou obligest me, with thy joyful news!

Au.
Happy conjuncture!
Embraces him.
blest moment! that it wod alwayes last,
or that the heart did but go now with th'hands
that thus embrace me.

(Aside.
Pr.
Never was Prince more happy in a Page,
then I in thee.

Au.
I hope your Highness e're long
will finde it so indeed.

Pr.
More, more I prithy, more of Erminia.

Au.
See here comes company.

Pri.
Lets
withdraw then to my apartment, and there
I'le take th'Ambrosick food into mine ear.