University of Virginia Library

SCENE IX.

HENRIQUES. SYLVIA.
SYLVIA.
Where is Constantia? still I've sought in vain,
For I have much to tell her.

HENRIQUES.
Sure I dream,
What wonder strikes my sight? Stay, beauteous nymph.

SYLVIA.
O Heav'ns! art thou return'd?

HENRIQUES.
Why would'st thou fly?
O hear me but a moment.

SYLVIA.
Say; what would'st thou?

HENRIQUES.
But gaze upon thee, speak a few short words,
No more—

SYLVIA.
Then ere thou speak, give me thy promise
Not to come near me.

HENRIQUES.
Fear not, lovely nymph!
I promise this. What graceful Innocence
Shines o'er her frame!

SYLVIA.
How peaceful are its looks!

HENRIQUES.
But what's in me to cause such mighty fear?
I am no asp, nor savage beast of prey;
A man can surely not affright thee thus.

SYLVIA.
Art thou a man?

HENRIQUES.
I am.

SYLVIA.
O save me, save me!

[Flying.
HENRIQUES.
Yet stay—

SYLVIA.
[Kneeling]
O spare me; never have I wrong'd you,
Then be not cruel to me.

HENRIQUES.
Rise, my fair one,
Compose thy thoughts, this causeless fear distracts me.

SYLVIA.
[Aside.]
Sure my heart whispers I may trust his faith.

HENRIQUES.
O if thou art gentle, as thy form bespeaks thee,
Say when and where did poor Constantia die?

SYLVIA.
Constantia! Heav'n be prais'd, Constantia lives!

HENRIQUES.
She lives! O lovely Sylvia! Yes, this place,
Thy tender years, all tell me thou art Sylvia;
Fly to Constantia, while I haste as swift
To seek Gernando.

SYLVIA.
Ha'st thou then with thee
That cruel, that ingrate—

HENRIQUES.
Call him unhappy,
But not ingrate or cruel: O delay not,
'Twere barb'rous to defer, but for a moment,
The tender raptures of this faithful pair.

SYLVIA.
Together let us go.

HENRIQUES.
No: that would ask
A longer time than fits the present purpose.
Seek thou Constantia, bring her to this place,
And with Gernando hither I'll return.

SYLVIA.
Yet stay awhile—What is thy name?

HENRIQUES.
Henriques.

SYLVIA.
Then hear, Henriques, tarry not too long.

HENRIQUES.
What means this haste, my Fair?

SYLVIA.
Alas! I know not:
I feel a sudden damp at thy departure,
And feel, at thy return, as sudden joy.

HENRIQUES.
And, witness Heav'n! I could for ever hear thee,
Gaze on thy sweets, and dwell with thee for ever.

[Exit.