 | The Eunuch |  |
Scen. 1.
Enter Phædria and Parmeno.Phæ.
VVhat should I then resolue on? not to go?
Not now at least, being so kindely sent to?
Or rather this way bend, my setled course,
Not to indure these scornefull trickes of Whores?
She shut me out of doores; now sends for me:
Go? neuer I, should she sue earnestly.
Par.
Sir, surely if you can do as you say,
Twere your most worthy, your most manly way.
But if beginning, you so go one,
And faintly bearing loues affliction,
When y'are not sought to, when you are at square
Shall then come creeping to her; and declare
Your ardent loue, whose flames you cannot beare;
You are cast in Law, you may goe shake the care.
You are gone: shall be her pipe to play vpon,
When you are found at her deuotion.
And therefore master timely yet consider,
That such a thing as holdeth in it neither
Reason, nor measure; such vnruly thing
Cannot be brought to reasons gouerning.
In loue these vitious humours setled are;
Suspicious, wrongs, enmities, truces, warre,
New league againe: Now this vncertaintie
To draw to certaine, were like mistery,
As if one should a proiect venture on
To make a man mad with discretion.
And what you now here to your selfe in passion
Do vtter, shall I brooke this base queanes fashion?
Who hugges yon'd souldier? barres her doore on me?
Not caring? Ile die first: Shee yet shall see
What manner man she has to do withall.
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With one false teare sheel allay easily;
Which (rubbing of her eyes most pittifully)
She hardly shall force from 'hem: and anon
Youle tender your owne accusation,
And stoop to her set penance.
Phæ.
Oh my hard fate!
I clearely find my selfe vnfortunate;
And her a wicked strumpet. I do frie
In flames of loue to one I loathing flie:
Knowing and seeing fall; aliue, awake:
Nor see my course.
Par.
To what course should you take,
But seeke to gaine your libertie now lost,
At what low rate you may? if little cost
Will not procure it, then at th'utmost price;
And do not vex your selfe.
Phæ.
That thy aduise?
Par.
If you be wise, and to loues miserie
Ad not: what'thas, striue to beare moderately.
Enter Thais.
But she comes foorth; our householdes knowne decay.
For what we ought to haue, she sweepes away.
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