 | Love's Labyrinth |  |
Scæn. 8.
Enter King Damocles in his Royal robes, Plusidippus and Samela, prisoners.Kin.
Now Sir, you see the shepherd is become
A King; and though you have deserved death,
Yet since you have but acted our commands,
We here release you, and not onely so,
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At once belonging to our neighbour-Prince,
And near Allie, the King of Thessaly.—
Some secret power doth force me love him so,
That if I had a daughter to bestow,
I'de wish no other Son-in-law, but him.
Now my Sephestia, what would I give,
Thou wert alive, I had thee, and thou him.
Sam.
He little thinks I am so near, or that
It is his daughter he would make his wife.
Kin.
Thus, Gentlewoman, you are once more faln
Into my hands, I am th'Arcadian King:
Be sudden therefore to give me your love,
Or else forfeit your life for your contempt;
Think on't, and chuse which you'l rather do.
Sam.
Sir, I am still the same I was before:
My love, like to a mighty rock, stands fast,
Disdaining the proud billows of your threats.
Crowns cannot tempt, nor Kings command my love,
My love is free, and cannot be compell'd.
True love admits no partners, is content
With one, and Cupids statute law forbids
Pluralities of loves.
Kin.
Since y'are so stiff,
You will not bow, I'll make you bend, or break.
Enter Menaphon with Melecertus.
Mel.
I am betray'd by this base Menaphon.
Kin.
Here comes my Rival; when I have dispatch'd
Him to the other world, your plea is spoil'd:
My sword shall cut your gordian knot in two;
Your ghosts may wed, your bodies never shall.
I'll be his Executioner my self,
I'll trust no other eyes to see it done.
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Now is it time t'unmask, and let him know
He wounds his daughter through her Lovers sides.
She kneels.
Father, your furie once expos'd me to
The greedie jaws of death, which yet more kind,
In pitie sav'd my life, you sought to lose.
I'm your Sephestia, Father, know your child.
Mel.
And is it possible, Sephestia lives,
Once more t'enjoy her truest Maximus?
Sam.
My Maximus, I'm thy Sephestia:
Oh that our Plusidippus too were here!
Plu.
And I am he, my name is Plusidippus.
Seph.
My dearest son! 'tis he; now were my joys
Compleat indeed, were but my Uncle here.
Mel.
I am so wrapt with joy, I scarce can get
Breath, to express my thanks unto the gods.
Men.
What will become of me? I shall be hang'd,
Or lose my place at least; I'll get me home,
Amidst their mirth they will not think on me.
Exit.
Kin.
My onely daughter! Dear Sephestia,
And you, kind Maximus, I ask
Both of you pardon for your injuries,
And for requital, thus I do create
Thee King of Arcadie; and may the gods
Requite your sufferings, and forgive my crimes.
Long may ye live, and happy; may your dayes
Be sun-shine all, and know no clouds nor night.
Enter Lamedon.
And that we may not leave one string untun'd,
My brother comes to make our consort full;
The best of brothers, and the best of friends,
Thanks for your care of her, whom you have made
Your daughter by a better claim than mine.
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The altars with their thankful sacrifice
Unto the kinder deities, who through
A sea of woes, have sent us happiness.
Let's in, and hear the strange and adventures have
Befaln your heaven-protected persons; griefs
Grow less by telling, joyes are multiplied.
Although against them all things seem to strive,
At last just men and lovers alwayes thrive.
| Love's Labyrinth | |