 | The Prophetesse |  |
Scæna Secunda.
Enter Delphia and Drusilla.Dru.
'Tis true, that Diocles is courteous,
and of a pleasant nature, sweet and temperate:
his Cosen Maximinian, proud and bloody.
Del.
Yes: and mistrustfull too (my Girl) take heed,
although he seem to love thee, and affect
like the more Courtier, curious complement,
yet have a care.
Dru.
You know all my affection,
and all my heart-desires is set on Diocles.
But (Aunt) how coldly he requites this courtesie,
how dull and heavily he looks upon me,
although I woo him sometimes beyond modestie,
beyond a Virgins care: how still he flights me,
and puts me still off with your Prophecie,
and the performance of your late Prediction,
that when he is Emperor, then he will marry me,
alas, what hope of that?
Del.
Peace, and be patient,
for though he be now a man most miserable,
of no rank, nor no badge of honour on him,
bred low and poor, no eye of favour shining:
And though my sure Prediction of his Rising
(which can no more faile, then the day or night do's,
nay, let him be asleep, will overtake him)
have found some rubs and stops, yet hear me Neece,
and hear me with a faith, it shall come to him.
I'll tell thee the occasion.
Dru.
Do good Aunt:
for yet I am ignorant.
Del.
Chiding him one day
for being too neer, and sparing for a Souldier,
too griping, and too greedy: he made answer,
When I am Cæsar, then I will be liberall.
I presently inspir'd with holy fire,
and my Prophetick spirit burning in me,
gave answer from the gods; and this it was,
Imperator eris Roma, cum Aprum grandem interfecoris:
Thou shalt be Emperor, O Diocles,
when thou hast kill'd a mighty Boar. From that time
(as giving credit to my words) hee has imploy'd
much of his life in hunting. Many Boars
hideous and fierce, with his own hands he has kild too,
but yet not lighted on the fatall one,
should raise him to the Empire: Be not sad Neece,
ere long he shall: Come, lets go entertain him;
for by this time, I ghesse, he comes from hunting:
And by my art, I find this very instant
some great designe 's afoot.
Dru.
The gods give good, Aunt.
Exeunt.
| The Prophetesse | |