University of Virginia Library

SCENA I.

MERCATOR, MELINTUS.
Mercator.
If you have any service to command me
At Sevil, honour me with your Commission,
To morrow I embarke, and leave the Ile,
Until you Mart returns, and games renue.

Melintus.
But first you'l kisse the fair hands of the Nimph,
And take her pasport with you?

Mercator.
That's a duty
I dare not fail in, though my interest
Were not concern'd in't. I intend this day
To carry her my casket of my richest
And choicest merchandise; when she hath bought
What best pleaseth her fancy, I shall be
Dismist, having no more commodities
To sell unto the Shepheards of her Court.

Melintus.
Have you sold well?

Mercator.
To what end should I feign?
The trade goes well enough, I complain not:
Rich Rubies, Pearls of price, bright Diamonds,
Store of fair Coral, costly Amber-greece,
Portraits, and other such dainty devices,
Have passed through my fingers at good rates:
Diana's festival is still kept solemn;
And as the games which fail not every year
To be renu'd, invite unto those woods
The neighbouring Shepheards, to dispute the prizes
Proposed on those dayes, I saw among them
Some noble strangers clad in pastoral weeds
That for the honour of this Island chose it
Their sanctuary and repose.

Melintus.
You need not
Wonder at this, the place which they have chosen
Denotes their judgments; here ambition
Hath no imployment; if at any time
We sigh here, 'tis for love, no other passion
Is seen among us; though this Island be
A part of Portugal, we have our laws,
And Empire to our selves; she that rules here
Hath not the name of Queen, we subjects are
Our Soveraigns companions, and her vertue
Makes us to taste so much repose, that she
Hath put the Sheephook into the hands of
A hundred Hero's, who wearied with Lawrels,
And the noise of the war, are here retir'd
From the four corners of the World: she rules
So sweetly, that crime onely feels her anger.
And as she is descended from the blood
Of Zoroastres, she knows well the vertue
Of Herbs, and th'influence of every star;
She understands the secret misteries
Of Magick, and sometimes makes use of it
To serve her interests; there is no Prince
Nor Monarch that stands not in fear of her.
And suffereth her not to raign in peace
For his own safety.

Mercator.
I know this Asyle,
And charming residence looks not with envy
Upon the Court o' th' King of Portugal;
Besides I am not ignorant that the fair
Ismenia, drawn here, by the sweet report,
Of these inchanting pleasures, to enjoy them
In quiet, left the favour of her Queen;
And that this beauty by a sudden change,
Adds no small lustre to this Paradise.

Melintus.
See where she comes, Diana too with her,
I must in private speak unto this fair one;
An interest of love obligeth me
Continually to make her my devotions.

Mercator.
Go Sir, and prosper, may your Saint prove sweet
And gentle as those South-gales I expect
In my embarkment.—

Exit Mercator.