The Strange Discovery A Tragi-Comedy |
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 | The Strange Discovery |  |
Scena secunda.
Enter Demeneta, and young Cnemon her sonne in Law.Demen.
My pretty boy, how dost thou? where hast thou
beene so long absent from my imbraces; come
hither, let mee solace my selfe a little with thee, let mee kisse
thee my sweet heart, my heire, my owne life.
Cnem:
Had ever any one a kinder stepmother—
aside.
Mother, you make too much of mee, I am not able to deserve
your love in so high a straine, my duty cannot countervaile it.
Demen.
How prettily hee speakes, I cannot chuse but kisse
thee for it.
Cnem.
What a close and hot kisse was that? I like not this
behaviour, would I were delivered hence, please you give mee
leave to goe about my exercises?
Dem.
What exercises?
Cnem.
My bookes and studies at the Schoole, I shall be shent
else by my Tutor.
Dem.
Come, thou shalt not leave me.
Cnem.
Will you have me prove a truant then?
Dem.
No, but a student in a better art; hast thou ever read
Ovid de arte amandi, or Ovids amorous Epistles?
Cnem.
Never.
Dem.
O, I would have thee study that booke above all
other, there are very good rules, and worth the observation
truly, if thou errest in any thing therein written, I will be thy
Mistresse to instruct thee, follow my rudiments good sonne.
Cnem.
But I have heard 'tis a ribaldrous booke, and corrupteth
youth to all wantonnesse.
Dem.
That is but a fantasie, a mere untruth; it was made
by the Poet for youthfull recreation and pastime, none but
Stoicall old men will invey against them, who envie that in
others which they cannot enjoy in themselves.
I understand not your Philosophie.
Dem.
Would thou didst, and wert well entred in my books
and science; but where is thy father and my husband Aristippus?
O, my deare husband, where have you lingred so long; you
are too blame indeed to leave me so solitary, I must chide you
for it, truly, had you tarried never so little longer, I should
have died for sorrow.
Arist.
My sweet wife Demeneta. I have a jewell of thee, thy
extreme love to me is confirmed in thy affection to my sonne
Cnemon, vertuous woman.
Demen.
I love him I must confesse, as well as if he were mine
owne sonne, or better.
Arist.
I know thou dost my love; never was a man happier
in his choice, I thinke.
Demen.
Cnemon, sit on my lap pretty boy.
Cnem.
No, I know my duty better.
Demen.
I will have it so; the very picture of his father.
Cnem.
Pray mother excuse me, this is no fit place for me.
Demen.
There is not a prettier or wittier boy in Athens,
but 'tis no wonder, that old men beget alwaies the finest children,
'tis most commonly seene.
Arist.
I know your vertue, and therefore will dispute with
you a little upon this subject, and aske you this question: how
could you, a young woman, affect me an old man?
Demen.
How could I not Sir; your wisdome, stayednesse
and understanding were such motives to my affection, as I
would not change my old man for the youthfull'st cavalere of
all Greece; I hope for all your age, to have a hopefull off-spring
from you, such another as Cnemon, you can doe it i'faith, old
Aristippus.
Arist.
My girle, how thou dost revive my decayed spirits
to heare thee talke thus! I will straine hard for this, but I will
answer thy expectation.
Demen.
Thankes sweet husband, let me hang upon your
necke, pretty gravity, how well it becomes him, who could
chuse but love such a man intirely; pox upon smooth faces,
when a gentlewoman would sleep and take her rest; they are alwaies
disturbing of her, when by a man of some yeeres and experience
we may lie as quiet as we will; would all women
were of my opinion, we should cut the combes then of these
lustie gamesters.
Arist.
Indeed young men are very inconstant in their
love, and changing from one unto another, whereas an old
man perseveres to the end in his devotions.
Dem.
True, true, my love, your words are oracles,
Were I now as I seeme, how should I wrong
Youth, beautie, nature, and rebell against them—
aside.
Arist.
My dearest love, though loth, I am inforc'd
To leave you for some houres, the state of Athens
Sent for me, to repaire unto the Senate
At ten a clocke about affaires of weight,
'Tis now about the time; farewell my sweetest.
Dem.
You shall not goe, come, come, you doe not love me,
Else could you not be so unkind my deare,
To kill your loving wife with your departure.
I doubt I shall not live till your returne.
Arist.
Come prethee, leave this off, and be assur'd
I will not stay two houres.
Dem.
On that assurance
I doe dismisse you, but if you exceed
The time, you're like to find me turn'd a coarse;
sticke to your promise.
Arist.
I'll not faile you sweet.—
Exit Aristippus.
Dem.
Where goe you Cnemon?
Cnem.
No where, but to waite
Upon my Father to the Senate-house,
And instantly returne.
Dem.
See that you doe,
And you shall not repent it,
Exit Cnemon.
I must gaine him
Unto my will by faire and gentle meanes,
By promises and gifts, by sweet allurements
And strong inticing words, by pleasing him
(I make no doubt) and bring me to his bed.
I burne for love of him and must be quench'd,
Old Aristippus I have fool'd and made
Believe I love him, but it is not so.
I have brought him to my owne lure so thee
He stoops unto my beauty; now if I
Can but enjoy my Cnemon, I am then
Mistris of my designe, and a chiefe Artist
In this sweet trade; let fooles burne in their fire
Of modest love, i'le on to my desire.
Exit.
| The Strange Discovery | |