 | Love's Labyrinth |  |
Scæn. 2.
Kin.I see this youth's repul'st, and he is young
And stout, and well deserving, how shall I
Hope to prevail with her? if lively youth
She do despise, then much more cripling age:
Nor do I know what arguments to use,
Unless to tell her that I am a King,
And lay my Crown and Scepter at her feet,
Which she will scarce believe: my shepherds hook
Will not be taken for a scepter, nor
This poor cap for th'usurper of a crown.—
I have a way whereby to work my will,
And this young man shall be my instrument:
There stands a castle hard by, whither he
Perforce shall carry her. I'll work my will
Upon her, when I have her there confin'd.
Enter Plusidippus.
Plu.
I will revenge this scorn, if force or wit
Will do, I'll make her pride come down.
Kin.
Be wise,
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Thee how thou shalt obtein thy full desire.
Plu.
But tell me how, and then let me alone
To act, what e're it be.
Kin.
A Castle stands
Near by, guarded with crows and negligence,
Thither thou mayst by force convey her, and
Then force her unto what entreaties can't.
Plu.
Old man, if I do gain her by thy means,
Thou shalt not want reward: I know the place
Where she doth tend her flock, and I'l watch her,
As she doth them; and when I see my time,
I will convey her where you shall direct.
Exit.
Kin.
I will attend you here.—Now must I plot
To get her in my power, and then I shall
Advance her to a crown against her will.
But yet, I cannot think Honour should need
An Advocate; womens ambitious thoughts
Do swim aloft, they love to be above
Their neighbours, envying ev'ry one whose height
Doth over-look, and seemeth to upbraid
Their lowness by comparison; their minds
Are always climbing up to honours hill,
And pride, and self-conceit, are the two wings
Which elevate their thoughs to flie aloft.
Enter Plusidippus, with Samela.
Plu.
Now, Mistris Coy, y'are not in your own power,
But mine. Old shepherd, take thee charge of her.
Exit.
Kin.
Lady, you see what folly 'tis for you
To denie men what they can take without
Your leave. Now must you yield unto the Knight
Of Thessaly.—But if you will be wise,
And see a good when proffer'd, you may be
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King of Arcadia, although thus disguis'd.
Sam.
My father Damocles 'tis he now sues
aside.
To me his dauughter: He's incestuous grown.
Kin.
This is too woman-like, to turn away
From your own happiness.—And it is strange,
That honour doth not tempt her; thou shalt have
A Crown and Kingdom at thy sole command,
And change these rural weeds for princely robes,
If thou wilt be my wife, pleasure for pain,
And plenty for thy povertie. What sayst?
Sam.
Your potent batteries, and golden baits
Might win (perhaps) on some ambitious soul:
They nothing move me, to remove my love
Already plac'd on Melecertus, He,
He onely doth, and shall possess my heart.
Kin.
A shepherd. Shall a shepherds basnesse stand
In competition, and out-weigh a King?
A subject be before his Sovereign
Prefer'd? Oh how prepostrous are the minds
Of these fond women! Come, be well advis'd,
And change that pettie pebble for a pearl.
'Tis in my power to make thee happy, or
With one breath to blast the flower of thy hopes.
And to repay thy folly with thy shame.
Do not go on to kindle such a fire
Within my breast, as shall consume both thee,
And all that cross the current of my will.
Sam.
I have already sad experience of
The wilde effects of his enraged will,
aside.
Yet such the crosness of my fortune is,
I must again be made the subject of
His furious tyrannie; but I'm resolv'd.
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Than all the gawdie shows Courts can present:
I am too well confirmed in the bliss,
And sweet content attends a Country life,
To leave it for the giddy-headed Court.
Besides, my true affections are so riveted
Unto my Melecertus, that nor frowns,
Nor flatteries shall part my heart from him.
Cease therefore farther to commence a suit
Nature forbids me grant, and you to ask.
Kin.
And have I with my Kingly robes laid by
My Kingly mind? No, it shall ne're be said
A womans will hath contradicted mine.
But 'tis by policie that I must work,
Since I have laid my Kingly power aside,
I'll set my brains o'th'tenter hooks, and stretch
Them to their uttermost abilities,
To win this scornful beautie to my wife,
Or else revenge it with her dearest life.
Exit.
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