Totenham Covrt :: :: University of Virginia Library

Shee's come. How like an Angell, as if sent
On some celestiall message to the soule
Of a departing Saint. White innocence
Is in each looke and feature, as all goodnesse
Had built their mansion in her. Welcome faire one,
I hope my pardon's seal'd for thus presuming
On what you might call rudenesse.

Cice.
You have shapt
Needlesse apologie to excuse a guilt,
When none appeares. I owe much to your vertue
It doth command my thoughts.

Sam.
Which are so glorious,
I must admire the actions that expresse them.
I hope your judgement doth not call it ill,
That my intemperate anger being grownded
On vertuous suspition, did transport me
Beyond a moderate passion. I am satisfi'de.
Your innocence hath cleer'd my jealousie;
Which was I know instruction to my sister,
And th'onely working meanes that kept her safe.
The Gentleman she loves I finde is worthy:
Though his estate through the improvidence
Of a free minded Father, low enough.
My Vncle may repaire it: she hath hopes
T'inherite all. And trust me did I love
Where I perceiv'd desert, no inequalitie
Of fortunes blind additions, birth or state,
Should interpose a let to my enjoying.

Cice.
Sir, 'tis a noble resolution,
Pure love's a vertue Nature onely teacheth;
And's borne with generous Spirits that distinguish

The object truely; fleighting those respects
That worke on grosser minds.

Sam.
How shee instructs me
In resolution? Fairest I shall use
None other circumstance, or paint a passion
My reasons eye allowes: though first my sense
Convey'd the knowledge of your outward forme,
And full perfectious, which must needs conteine
A richer inside. Vertue seldome dwells
But in a glorious frame. I love your goodnesse;
For that your beauty. In my new borne wishes
I have determin'd you the partner
Of all that's mine. My state's not very meane:
If 'twere, zeale should supply; I'de strive to merit
The free gift of your selfe, and in exchange
Returne my selfe.

Cice.
Sir, I could answere you
With your owne wordes: for I presume your thoughts
Are noble like your selfe; unmixt with flatt'ry,
Courtships infection; and the poysonous breath
That many times doth make pure love suspected
Whether it be sound or plaster'd to deceive
Our credulous weaknesse, till it hath possest us
With some foule leprosie. Your handmaid yeelds
To what agrees with honour; if the meannesse
Of her condition may presume to call
Her honest credit so.

Sam.
How you doe blesse me
As suddainly as my desires could shape
A meanes to worke it? Instantly the Church
Shall seale the bargaine.

Cice.
Would not you deliberate
Those acts are lasting, and concerne the being
Of all your after life?

Sam.
'Tis heavens providence
That hath dispos'd it. Thus I seale my vowes