 | Argalvs and Parthenia |  |
To whom resolued Argalus (whose eye
Was fixt vpon his honour) made replie;
My deare Parthenia; were it to obtaine
The vnsumm'd welth of Pluto; or to gaine
The soueraignty of the earth, without th'expence
Of blood or sweate, without the least pretense
Of danger, my ambition would despise
The easie conquest of so great a prize,
If purchas'd by thy discontent, or by
The poorest teare that trickles from thine eye;
But to recall my promise, or forsake
That resolution honour bid me make
In this behalfe; or to betray that trust
Repos'd in me, the gods would be vniust,
(And not themselues) if they should but command
Or vrge me, with an ouerswaying hand.
My deare Parthenia; Let no false suggestion
Abuse thy passion, or presume to question
My dearest loue; Though honour bids vs part,
Yet honor can not robbe thee, of my heart:
Honour, that calls me with her loud alarmes,
VVill bring me back, with Tryumph, to thine armes;
Was fixt vpon his honour) made replie;
My deare Parthenia; were it to obtaine
The vnsumm'd welth of Pluto; or to gaine
The soueraignty of the earth, without th'expence
Of blood or sweate, without the least pretense
Of danger, my ambition would despise
The easie conquest of so great a prize,
If purchas'd by thy discontent, or by
The poorest teare that trickles from thine eye;
But to recall my promise, or forsake
That resolution honour bid me make
In this behalfe; or to betray that trust
Repos'd in me, the gods would be vniust,
(And not themselues) if they should but command
Or vrge me, with an ouerswaying hand.
136
Abuse thy passion, or presume to question
My dearest loue; Though honour bids vs part,
Yet honor can not robbe thee, of my heart:
Honour, that calls me with her loud alarmes,
VVill bring me back, with Tryumph, to thine armes;
| Argalvs and Parthenia | |