The Vnfortunate Mother A Tragedie |
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The third Scene
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 | The Vnfortunate Mother |  |
The third Scene
Enter Spurio.[Infe.]
Let us goe take the ayre.
Corv.
Your graces leave
To have some conference with him.
Infe.
When 'tis ended
Attend us in the garden.
(Exeunt Infe. Card. Aman.
Corv.
Stay Melissa:
Sonne I would urge your duty to reveale
What 'tis disturbes you. I by observation
Have noted odde expressions in your lookes,
Your words, and actions, since the late Dukes death,
That argue there's within some strange distemper
Of your best parts, counsaile must rectifie.
I challenge from my interest the will
And power to give it.
Spu.
How can I discover
What I yet know no? you must satisfie
Your selfe, and your owne suppositions,
Even by your selfe. If you have fram'd conjectures
From any outward Characters that may
Propose and i'le reveale it.
Corv.
You are in love.
Spu.
I have desires, I must confesse, but temper them
With a discreet respect to their best end:
Nor doe I suffer any to flame out
In violent passions.
Corv.
But they are directed
To one peculiar object; that's the Dutchesse,
Is it not so?
Spu.
My breeding and Religion
Permit me not to lye: sir 'tis a truth;
And you may call it vertuous if you please:
But duty which you challenge from me checks it.
I neither dare nor will plead any right
Where you are interested.
Corv.
I assigne it all,
She hath o're throwne my cause with such a scorne
As burnes me into rage; witnesse ye powers
That guide our not to be resisted fates,
How farre she's banisht from my thoughts.
Spu.
You have sir
Breath'd a new soule of comfort into me;
Ile freely now solicite for my selfe,
And try successe.
Corv.
'Twill show of youthfull rashnesse,
Can you ground any hopes?
Spu.
From circumstance
I can; but none with which I will be flatter'd:
The honours which she hath conferr'd upon me
Are Arguments she loves me; her salutes
Are alwaies deare or dearest.
Corv.
Yet you must not.
Marry this Dutches.
Spu.
How, will you oppose it?
You then are swolne with an unnaturall envy.
Corv.
No more, I must dispose you.
Spu.
I'le obey.
With mild command, and deepe consideration:
Thinke on the Dutchesse.
Corv.
Thinke upon Melissa.
Spu.
What of my sister sir?
Corv.
She is a beauty
That might invite desire, and crowne the bed
Of any Prince with happinesse. Looke on her,
And make her thy election.
Spu.
Mine! for what?
Corv.
A Wife.
Spu.
Defend yee better, influences,
No such incestuous dreame could e're possesse
My wanton'st slumber.
Cor.
'Tis not so incestuous
As that thy inconsideratnesse attempted:
Resolve to take her, and by all my hopes
Of blest eternity, I will not onely
Justifie that for lawfull, but salute thee
Ferrara's lawfull Duke.
Spu.
What riddle's this?
Give it solution.
Corv.
First resolve to be
What I have promis'd.
Exit.
Spu.
Good sir leave me not
Confounded with amazement: are not you
My Father sir? or who must owne me? Sister,
Is there ought in your knowledge that may satisfie
My doubtfull thrughts? must I not call you sister?
Or what's that greater incest I would have
Committed? Can the Dutchesse be my mother?
An Aunt's lesse then a sister?
Mel.
Dearest brother,
My knowledge ownes no secret which I would not
As freely make you master of, as wish
My selfe a happinesse: I must confesse
My mother oft hath told me that you were not
The issue of her Wombe.
There's halfe the riddle
Unfoulded yet.
| The Vnfortunate Mother | |