University of Virginia Library

Scene 2.

Dionysia
as before in mans habit, sword and pistol.
What a fierce conflict twixt revenge and love,
Like an unnatural civil war, now rages
In my perplexed breast. There, fight it out;
To it Pel-mel my thoughts. The battel's hot.
Now for the day! revenge begins to stagger,
And her destracted Army at an instant
Routed and put to flight. All conquering love,
Thou hast got the victory; and now I sue
(Like a rent kingdom by self-opposite thoughts)
Unto thy soveraignty, to be the liege-right.
Take me to thy protection, kingly love,
And having captivated my revenge,
O, play not now the Tyrant. A firm hope
Perswades me no: But when I shall
Reveal my self I shall obtain Theophilus love.
Which now is ten times sweeter in my thought
Then my revenge was, when 'twas first begot.

Ent. The. & Lucy.
The.
What, still alone? we have been seeking thee.

Dio.
O 'tis the service that I ow you Sir.

Lu.
Indeed you are too pensive: two whole dayes thee.
And nights among us, and no more familiar?

Ent. Ar. in his false beard, leading in Mil. veil'd. Pages they stand aloofe.
Pa.
May I crave your name, Sir?

Ar.
That's to little purpose,
My business is the thing—yonder's the star!
What young Gentleman is that your Mistris arm
Appears so courteous too?

Pa.
One she thinks well on Sir,
No matter for his name, as you said, neither.

Ar.
He seems some well grac'd suitor. 'Tis my fear,
If he should now—I must be just however.

Pa.
Sir, a Gentleman desires to speak with you.

The.
Dost thou not know his name?

Pa.
He will not tell it Sir.

The.
You treacherous boy, do you bring you know not whom?
O 'tis the Gentleman I was so bound to, Sister:
The welcom'st man alive; Thanks my good boy.
What's she he brings in veil'd, and this way leads?

Ar.
Sir, though I am still a stranger in my visit,
To works of gentleness, I am partly known.
There (if you chance t'enquire of me hereafter
(When I shall more deserve your inquisition)
I may be found, if not exact in service,
At least a poor pretender in my wishes:
And so presenting this white gift, (more modest
Then the most secret duty of mans friendship
Can ever be) I take my leave—

The.
This man
Would breed, at every time he's seen, a wonder!
Sir, leave me not thus lost: let me once know you,
And what this mystery means? This bears a shape
I may not entertain: I have set my vow
Against all woman kinde, since Heaven was married
To my first love; and must not willingly
Discover a temptation with mine own hand.

Ar.
How shie and nice we are to meet our happinesse!
Like dying wretches, 'fraid to go to rest.
Because you shall be guilty of no breach
I'le ope the Casket for you.

He unveils her, & slips away.
The.
Blesse me, it is—
Warm, so Love cherish me and comfortable.

Dio.
O death, my hopes are blasted.

Lu.
How is it with you, sir.

The.
Might a man credit his own sences now
This were my Millicent. How think you, sister?

Mil.
Indeed I am so, my Theophilus.

Dio.
She lives, and he is lost to me for ever,
I shall be straight discover'd too. False Love
Thou hast dealt loosely with me; And Revenge
I re-invoke thy nobler spirit: Now
Possesse me wholly; let it not be thought
I came and went off idly.

Lu.
Sir, something troubles you. See your kinswoman
My brother stands intranc'd too; Brother, brother—
Noble Lady, speak to him.

Mil.
I was in my discovery too sudden.
Strong rapture of his joy transmutes him—Sir,
Be not so wonder-struck; or, if you be,
Let me conjure you by the love you bore me,
Return unto your self again. Let not
A wandring thought fly from you, to examine
From whence, or how I came: If I be welcome
I am your own and Millicent.

The.
And in that
So blest a treasure, that the wealth and strength
Of all the world shall never purchace from me.
Heaven may be pleas'd again to take thee, but
Ile hold so fast, that wee'll go hand in hand;
Besides, I hope his mercy will not part us.
But where's the man now more desir'd then ever
That brought you hither?

Mil.
You ask in vain for him.
I can resolve you all; but for the present
He will be known to none.

The.
This is a cruel goodness: To put thankfulness
Out of all action. Sirah, how went he?

Pa.
I know not, Sir, he vanish'd sodainly.

The.
Vanish'd! good Lucy help to hold her fast
She may not vanish too. Spirits are subtle.

Mil.
This was my fear. Will you have patience,
And fit but in this chair while I relate my story.

The.
Ile be as calm in my extreamest deeps
As is the couch where a sweet conscience sleeps.

Dio.
Tis now determinate as fate; and so
At the whole cluster of 'em. Bless me ha!
As Dionisia presents her pistol. Enter. Rash. Mean. Win. Rafe. Arthur.
My father living! Then the cause is dead
Of my revenge.

Rash.
What is he kill'd out right.
Or els but hurt? Theophilus! my boy!
Dead, past recovery. Stay the murdress there.
Look you, Sir, to her. I suspect your son too
Is not without a hand in't by the hast
We met him in.

Lu.
He is not hurt at all
My honour'd father, as I desire your blessing,
But stricken with an extasie of joy.

Rash.
Look up my boy. How dost? here's none but friends.

The.
Sure, sure w'are all then in Elisium
Where all are friends and fill'd with equal joy.
Earth can have no felicity like this.
If this be any thing.

Rash.
Thou canst not see nothing,
Look well about thee man.

The.
I see, I feel, I hear and know ye all:
But who knowes what he knowes, sees, feels, or hears?
Tis not an age for man to know himself in.

Rash.
He is not mad I know by that.

The.
If I know any thing, you are my father—

Rash.
Thou art a wise child.

The.
And I beseech your blessing.

Rash.
Thou hast it. Millicent, I have heard your story,
And Lucy, you betwixt you sooth his fancy,
He will be well anon. Keep 'em company Arthur,
And Lucy, bid him welcome.

Lu.
More then life, Sir.

Rash.
You Dionysia would be chid a little;
But, Sir, let me intreat her pardon.

Mea.
Dry your eyes: you have it.
Go instantly resume your sexes habit,
And with the rest be ready, if we call ye
To Quicsands house. The rumour of our coming
Already calls us thither to be assistant
To justice Testy in a pondrous difference.

Rash.
How does he now?

Ar.
He's fallen into a slumber.

Rash.
In with him all I pray.

Ar. &c.
He shall have all our cares.

Exit with The. in the chair.
Rash.
Come my friend Meanwell. Now to Quick-sands cause,
To keep it out of wrangling lawyers jawes.
The face of danger is almost made clean
And may conclude all in a comick scene.

Exit.