 | Love In it's Extasie : Or, The large Prerogative |  |
Actus tertius.
Scena Prima.
Enter Charastus.Cha.
Not one tear more I'le spend for thee my sister;
It is a grief too light to solemnize thy exequies.
My heart in silence shall weep blood, when I remember
Desdonellas fate. Hence then effeminate tears:
Ye are too soft an expresser of my misery,
The senceless Trees but struck in favor by the Sun
Will do as much, and shall I when fortune darts
Her reall beams of malice, express no greater sorrow?
Yes, an inward bleeding is most dangerous,
That, that I will learn to practise.
Enter Fidelio.
Cha.
Fidelio! Let me embrace thee.
I do contain more worth within these arms
Than Atlas bears upon his shoulders. Speak dearest friend.
Where is Virtusus? living or 'mongst the dead?
Fid.
Alive too, but in prison.
Cha.
I'le free him instantly; I'le have my Crown again,
Too long Bermudo has usurp it: I'l break upon him,
Like some direfull Comet sparkling my vengeance
'Bout his Throne, or like a swelling channel long damn'd up
Will I discharge my streams on all sides of him,
Rushing forth with a strong and hideous torrent
As mischievous as irresistable.
Fid.
Forbid it Providence. Be not too rash fond man,
Religion, and your sacred Lawes oppose it.
You have indulg'd him all the Prerogatives of Majesty,
Crown'd him your self, and should you now
Lay violent hands upon him before his Crown is forfeited,
How would you violate your Laws, and scandall
Your Religion? Think what an easie president
'Twill be hereafter to your Subjects.
Cha.
Far be it from me to violate Religion:
I would not for the worlds vast Monarchy
Receive the morgag'd Crown before its forfeiture.
I'le wed Flavanda first, so doing
Religion seconds my attempts, and restores
The Diadem again unto me.
Fid.
Still you grow rasher: will you for a Crown
Receive a Serpent to your bosome? His Sister?
Will all your glory, and your high swoln titles
Make constant her that loves thee not.
Take heed, there's danger in't, great danger.
Cha.
Her Love's more constant than the Rocks,
Less blasted with the puffs of vain Ambition:
Nature has lost the mold where she was fram'd,
And cannot second what she did:
'Twas my Flavanda whom her curious hand
From all eternity strove to make perfect.
Fid.
Were she the exactest piece of Curiosity that ever
Admiration doated on, yet if she want a soul
Able for to govern all those excellencies,
We cannot stile her perfect (Perfection being
The unity of both most excellent) our Loves
Like to our selves are still terrestriall,
Reflecting only on the outward object,
Without regard of that divine and most celestiall
Fabrick of the soul We think
Those seeming spots within the Moon, meer motes
And blemishes, when indeed they are most pure,
And most pellucide; so on the contrary,
We deem all virtuous that is fair, and yet
The Moon is fair we must confess, yet she
Is only constant in Inconstancy.
Cha.
Can'st thou look virtuously on any thing that's fair?
Cans't thou behold dame Natures Masterpiece.
And no new Admiration swell thy enamourd fancie?
Or behold the Sun in all his glory, without a true
And reall Adoration? if so: Go court my best Flavanda.
Carry a thousand Ovids in thy tongue,
Let thy words melt to the winning'st eloquence
That e're enchanted Lady; Speak in thy highest phrase,
Thou canst not flatter her; she is as far beyond it,
As I come short of admiration,
And if all this does produce a tear,
Or sigh, more than in pity of thy folly,
I will as much abhor inconstancy,
As now I doate upon her excellence.
Fid.
I were injurious unto you, and to that Deity
That lies inshrin'd within those rayes, should I
Presume to approach but with a virtuous adoration.
No immodest thought shall once extract
An amorous glance, no rude word shall preach
Uncivill doctrin to her, nor any melting touch
Cast a delicious silence o're her body, whil'st
Her pleas'd eye retorts a second invitation:
All shall be truly harmless, all divine.
I'le lay a seeming siege against her constancy,
And if she bravely can maintain that fort,
I'le stile thee happy in thy humble choyce, happier
Than those that wed 'bove their aspiring fortunes,
Where every nod of the displeased wife
Clames an obedience in the Husband.
Cha.
On to thy wars then, but take heed,
Fly not too long about those flames, lest that
Thy melted wings like to a second Icarus
Throws thee down into a deadly Ocean of destruction,
Where thou must sink eternally: So Farewell.
Exeunt.
Scen. 2.
Enter Virtusus reading a Letter.Vir.
Thine for ever Thesbia . If this be true
I am above thee Fate. Why should I doubt it? Her hand
Is the truest Character of her faith, her Seal
The firm and furest obligation of her Love
Which like the Gordian Knot binds most inseparably.
'Tis that divinest Thesbia that has tide
Our absent souls together, reuniting too
Our hands though distant in as firm a Knoe
As Hymen and his sacred Rites could do, though present.
Be frolick then my soul; To day
Thou art wedded to thy happiness. Swell high my blood;
I'le entertain my Thesbia in a dream:
There my delighted fancy may in spite
Of cursed distance, kiss its fill,
There in a second slumber I may lye
Melting my soul with hers, whil'st each embrace
Invites another, and each amorous look
Calls to a second Parley; There my ravish't senses
Rapt to the highest extasie may find out
New sorts of pleasures, and sweet fresh delights.
Rest here then melting soul, to All good night.
He sleeps
Enter Thesbia.
Thes.
Did our chief bliss consist in worldly pleasures
As Epicurus did define, I might suppose my self
Most happy; But alas, take heed,
Trust not a Lyon though he fawns.
Oh ye powers! why did ye not?
When this same fabrick lay like melted wax
Void of all form or feature, why did ye not
Frame it most miserable? why was I made
Beyond the reach of happiness?
I would Bermudo thou hadst hated me,
I could have been ambitious then, and Crowns
Are like Love, nere pleasant but in getting,
Once got, they are troublesome: Happiness consists
In expectation only; Fond Gamsters when they play
Desire to win, but having won, their play is ended.
Which to enjoy were deadly: Ambition
Were a virtue could is shun the end.
What sleeping prisoner? Thou art happy in thy thraldom;
Kings cannot sleep so soundly;
Where is my father Shepherd? where is he?
For whom thou endur'st this thraldom?
Cannot thy sleeps inform me? This Paper may.
She takes the Letter.
Ha? Amaze me not ye Heavens!
Do not abuse my too inclining senses with the sight
Of this same flattering object. Oh desire
Thou art a false Optick misleading of our fancies
To that sight which most we cover.
Why thus transform'd Virtusus? Are these a Princes Robes?
Is sleep a Lovers fellow? at noon tide too?
Then Thesbia is forgotten.
Sleep on sweet soul, she has deserv'd thy scorns;
Let Quires of heavenly Spirits guard thy slumbers,
And when thou walk'st let thy enamourd soul
Turn to those pleasing sounds: Thesbia would have
No mortall Rivall. Alas he wakes.
Vir.
Stay Morpbeus stay, force not thy leaden wings
So quickly from mine eyes: oh let me ere behold
This Pleasing object. How has my fancy
Travel'd all this while? what Seas, what Gulfs,
What unknown Lands has my imagination compast?
If dreams those weaker fancies of our brain
Can work so really upon our souls,
Oh let me dream eternally, let all my life
Be one continued slumber: Ha? a Vision!
Thes.
No, a reall piece of Misery, one that begs
Upon his knees a Curtesie.
Vir.
Thou art my Jayler boy,
Thou mayst command it.
Thes.
I not command, but my obedient soul
Poures out it self in supplication: Because I am your Jayler.
Let not that keep back your clemencie,
I will become your fellow-prisoner rather,
Weep when you weep, sigh when you sigh,
And be the true and perfect flatterer of your misery.
Tell me, oh tell me! where's that unhappy King Sperazus,
Whose life thy loss of liberty has purchas'd?
Long have I sought him up and down,
Yet still was so unhappy as to miss him.
Vir.
Wouldst thou betray him then false Boy?
Thes.
Far be it from me, I would but chide him only;
Tell him he was cruell, inhumanely cruell,
Cruell to his own dear daughter,
Robbing her of that affection by his strict command
Which she had plac't on Prince Virtusus:
Nor was this enough to satisfie his ire,
But he must force her to revile him too,
(Heaven knows too much against her will.)
How oft poor maid has she with showres of tears,
Distilled from those never empty fountains,
Pray'd that the heavens would set an everlasting seal
Upon those lips that utter'd such a prophanation?
But they reserv'd them for to sing in heaven,
As now they do.
Vir.
Is she dead then?
Thes.
No, she lives in heaven a sacrifice Unto Virtusus ire.
Vir.
I have heard too much: Hence Night Raven
Hencethou black interpreter of death,
Haste to the Stygian shades, be never more
Here heard on earth: Thy voyce will blast us all.
Thes.
I am sorry sir—.
Vir.
Hold, stop thy accursed Mouth;
Let it not breath such dismall vapors:
Haste unto Pluto's Quire, there let the Mandrakes voyce
Yell forth his Mattens; Howl there the Dirges
Of tormented souls; Learn Harmony from Toads.
Thes.
Yet hear me.
Vir.
Never, oh never.
Exit.
Thus often Politicians with their too much care
Turn what was perfect to a just dispair.
Exit.
Sce. 3.
Enter Flavanda and Constantina as Shepherdesses.Fla.
Call you this place a Cottage, it is a beautious
Palace rather, adorn'd to entertain some Deity;
Art sure? and Nature too has met to make it
A perfect Paradice: I have liv'd in ignorance too long;
Courts are false Opticks blinding our weaker fancies
With a false and basely forg'd felicity.
This is the truest happiness.
Con.
Now I perceive things are most sweet
Known by their contraries; Courtiers 'mongst us
Are had in admiration; we whose simplicity
Can be but honest only think flattery virtue.
one knocks.
Fla.
Some one knocks, pritheee admit him.
Enter Fidelio.
Con.
One from Charastus Madam desires
To speak with you.
Fla.
From Charastus? come you from him sir?
Pardon me if I express a greater pleasure
Than modesty will allow me: How does that Prince?
Alas, I fear all is not well you look so strangely.
Is he alive or dead? speak quickly, quickly gentle sir.
Release me of this fear. Why are yon
So cruelly silent?
Fid.
Admiration Lady stopt my speech: He lives,
Lives happily in contemplation of your excellence.
Fla.
Does this same visit sir proceed from him?
Fid.
No Lady: my devotion bound me hither
With as great a zeal, as Pilgrims to their Pilgrimage.
For since Charastus tongue that poor interpreter
Of your worth blaz'd your perfections to me,
My heart would never be at quiet
Till my ambitious eyes were witnesses of that excellence,
Which now alas I find of such a ful authority'
That I am forc't to adoration: Thus low
I offer up my self unto your mercy.
Oh be as gentle then as fair,
And let some showres of pitie quench those flames,
Or cruell love worse than a flash of lightning
Will consume the Sacrificer, Altar, and the Sacrifice.
Fla.
If showres of tears could quench the flame
I would be full of pity, but Loves fire
Is of that nature that the more we strive
To quench it, the more it still does burn.
Pity 'its fewell is, and should I spend some Tears,
It would raise a strange presumption in you
Of an easie Conquest; I'le not deceive
Your hopes so much: Charastus sir has conquer'd,
And is of force to keep. I am only his.
Fid.
Only his? Good ought to be common still:
Do not, oh do not, sweet, confine a happiness
To only one: Make not a stealth of Natures bounty,
But like some gentle stream running betwixt two fields
Be a delicious ornament to both.
The twining Ivie that ascends
Embracing the lou'd Elm will oft vouchsafe
The encircling of some neighbouring bough, and yet
The Elm cannot accuse it of inconstancy.
Fla.
To suffer our affections so to wander
Were but to prostitute, and make common that
Which nature hath reserv'd within for a prize
Due to the most deserving.
Fid.
The Sun himself nere stands upon curiosity,
But lends his beams to all: He nere regards desert.
Is a Prince, the Prince of great Pelorus
Whither he shall carry thee in as full a Triumph
As he would his Penates.
There thou mayst shine in all thy glory
Whilst thy Beholders melt to see those rayes,
And never seek a shade to shelter them.
Whil'st here you stay, the Tyrants Law
Worse than a grossy exhalation-duls your beams,
Not suffering them to shine at all, no not so much
As on my friend Charastus.
Fla.
With what face dare you call him friend
Whom thus you strive to ruine? Can you suppose
He will forget this injury? Surely
Hee'l ever hate you for't.
Fid.
Hee'l rather love me for't:
Atheists themselves love Atheists, and shall we,
We of so pure a faith maintain a hate
Against one another for being of the same Religion?
How injurious should we prove unto that Deity
To whom we pay this reverence,
Should we but think her mercy lay confin'd
Within the circumscribed bounds of constancy,
Or suppose that that love can ere be limited
By a promise which Nature has made free;
Love rests not in a point, 'tis large,
Diffusive as the Ayre, not like a stream that still
Tends to the Ocean, but like some wandring flood
Which at the will and pleasure of the Spring
Returns unto her bosom: Draw part, Sweet,
Of that wandring flood to this side of the fountain,
Here let it come in a full effusion,
I'le meet its pleasing Billows with a virgin Love
That yet remains unstain'd, unproffer'd, unpolluted.
Con.
Thou lyest, false man, 'tis staind, 'tis proffer'd,
And polluted too.
Fid.
Nay, blush not, Sweet:
Thou'lt make Aurora blush to see her self out-gon
In her peculiar excellence.
Fla.
Let not this crimson have a colourable mistake,
'Tis a red flag of just defiance 'gainst thy Treachery.
Recant fond man, thou wilt grow odious else,
More odious to me than my evill Genius:
I shall abhor thy sight till penitence
Has washt away this prophanation. Dearest of Friends,
If e're thou wilt do a favour to Flavanda,
Haste to Charastus, Tell him this man's disloyalty.
He surely will severely punish it.
Con.
I obey most willingly.
Exit.
Fid.
Now She's gone, I am not what I seem'd
The base abuser of thy constancy: No sawcy flame
Burns now within my veins, 'Tis a religious fire,
I cannot stile it love, but zeal.
Why didst thou sweet suspect me? I was
Too confident to be a Lover: Loves flames burn high
Still trembling with their height;
Mine were too base, and too audacious.
Be happy now Flavanda, ere that too morrows Sun
Shall deck these meadows with his beams
Hymen shall joyn you to Charastus. I was sent
Not as his Rivall, but his Instrument.
Exeunt.
Sce. 4.
Horns within.Enter Bermudo.
Ber.
This Boar has mist us strangely: I'le see
Whither I can trace him in the woods.
He goes out and enters again.
No sign at all? 'Tis strange: Where lies the wind?
Stay: what foot is that? 'Tis fresh and newly printed.
Musick below ground.
Ha! Guard me Diana: A Rape, a Rape;
Where flies my ravisht senses? oh
From what earthly cave proceeds this heavenly harmony?
Dissolve, dissolve my soul, turn Ayr,
And Eccho forth those blest harmonious accents;
A voyce too? Orpheus, Orpheus, begst thou again Euricide?
Let amorous Lovers take delight
And glory in variety,
Love still to gaze, though every sight
Ads still unto their misery.
Song.
I in a Cave
More pleasure have
Loving but one,
Than they that love,
Still to remove
Can in a Throne.
Surely the ground is holy where I tread;
More pleasure have
Loving but one,
Than they that love,
Still to remove
Can in a Throne.
The heavenly Choristers are met to day
To consecrate this wood. Eternall Ministers of heaven
If my rash foot has offended in the disturbance
Of your holy Ceremonies, blame my rude fortune.
Oh let me not wander here in admiration thus,
But send some gentle Ayr to be my guide
Out of this pleasing Labyrinth: Oh Diana
Take pitty on your servant.
Eccho. Servant.
Ber.
What voyce calls? Art thou a tatling Eccho?
Eccho.
No.
Ber.
No? what art thou then? Art thou some gentle Nymph
Inhabiting these woods? or art Dianas self?
Eccho.
Dianas self?
Ber.
Most gracious Goddess of these silent groves,
Long has thy servant liv'd the poor admirer
Of thy excellence, long has he liv'd in ignorance
Of that glory whose true worth to know
Would surfet Admiration: Tell me, oh tell me,
Mayst thou be seen by mortall eye?
Eccho.
I.
Ber.
I will no longer live in ignorance.
I'le seek thee in the deepest caves,
Search the remotest corners of the wood
To view thy splendor. Oh stay then Gentle Goddess,
Fly not hence, oh stay I come.
Eccho.
Stay, I come.
Ber.
Come not to me sweet Goddess,
I am not worth such favour: 'tis happiness enough
For me to seek thee, though I nere should find thee.
Oh come not then, I am thy servant,
I am Bermudo stay.
Eccho.
Bermudo stay.
Ber.
Yes, with a zeal as fervent as the
Melting Bride expects the wish'd arrivall
Of the Bridegroom.
Enter Desdonella from the Cave attir'd like a Sylvan Goddess.
Des.
Lye there thou sweet and sole companion
Of my misery, whil'st I from out this solitary Cave
Behold the so admired fabrick of the Heavens,
And then contemplate on their excellence.
Ber.
Eternall piece of chastity, at whose shrine
Pure Virgins offer up unspotted incence,
Lo thus prostrate at thy feet Bermudo lies
Offring himself a most unworthy sacrifice.
Des.
Alas I am betraid: it is Bermudo.
I must dissemble.
Ber.
Beauteous Diana, Goddess of the woods
May I behold thy splendor? As yet I durst not
Lest thy refulgent eyes should blind me for presumption.
Oh draw a veil ore that majestick countenance
I shall be blinded else with too much seeing.
Des.
Mens weaker eyes must not behold
Divinity in all its lustre: That were a sight
Too glorious, else Bermudo I would appear to thee
But envious Fates forbid that happiness to man,
I must assume some other shape
Before thou canst behold me.
Ber.
Take any gracious Goddess so I may see thee,
Couldst thou assume the Devils 'twould be lovely.
Des.
I have thought of one Bermudo not so terrible
Though bad enough, what thinkst thou of Desdonella's
The late dead Princess? thou hatedst her alive,
Her shape then surely cannot ravish thee.
Shall I assume hers?
Ber.
Oh any gracious Goddess, any.
Des.
Arise Bermudo then, Look up,
Behold in Desdonella's shape Diana; Speak,
Am I not very like her? Can'st not perceive
Her tear swoln eyes, her trembling hands,
And love-sick countenance? Look I not
Like a true and perfect Lover?
Ber.
Oh Desdonella wert thou now alive, I should admire thee;
Thy shape was never lovely untill now.
Thou art transparent grown, I can perceive
Divinity within thee, the reflection whereof
Dissolves my frozen bosom, and makes me stand
Like to a burning Statue, all on fire.
Des.
Why tremblest so Bermudo? can Desdonella's shape
Of late so odious, make thee tremble?
Fond man, where's thy Allegiance to Diana?
Wher's now that chastity which so oft
Vpon mine Altars thou hast boasted?
Ber.
Pardon Divinest Goddess; no loose desire
Causes this sudden alteration, no upstart flame
Makes me forgetfull of my loyalty;
'Tis not the outward shape that I admire,
(Though I must needs confess 'tis excellent)
There's that within clameth an Adoration,
And I were worse than sacrilegious should I rob
Divinity of its due.
Des.
Look no more thorough that false optick, fear;
Be not so timorous; Divinity is laid aside,
And I am perfect mortall, come, be confident,
And kiss our hand; why so fearfull?
He kisses her hand.
Now for this favour you'l report Diana is unchast.
Ber.
Let me be blasted then; I were more impious
Than superstition, should I think a kiss or an embrace
Could be a breach of chastity; Those are rewards
Given to afflicted goodness; but what merit lies in me
Whose just worth from out the center of your
Chaster mercies may extract so great a favor
I must confess I know not, unless I take
Your liberality for the cause.
Des.
I am so far from being ingratefull unto him
That harbors but a spark of chastity, that I suppose
That favour of our hand, a poor
And trifling recompense for so much virtue;
But should I offer up a lip to you Bermudo,
You would be civilly fearfull, thinking me
Vnchast to offer it, and your self
More impious to receive it.
Ber.
I were erroneous should I think so;
Will not the Sun oft-times vouchsafe
An humble salutation to the earth, and yet not lose
One of his chaster glories; far,
Far be it from me to think, when ere I see
Approaching beams of Chastity, that I may refuse
To meet them with an equall ardour:
When I consider that the unity of two chast bodies
Makes chastity entirely perfect, I dare put on
A confidence to salute a Deity,
Provided alwayes our intents be chaste.
'Tis not an outward ceremonious action
That can spot the soul, for could we sin
And think but chastly, 'twere no fault.
Arm'd with which opinion I am confident,
And dare tast the sweetness of that lip,
And think it lawfull too.
He kisses her.
Des.
One impudence; That kiss has pul'd a ruine on thee.
Lest my pursuing vengeance overtake thee.
Exit.
How neer my Virgin-modesty was forfeited?
Who can look virtuously with affections eyes?
Beware ye vestall Virgins, ye that do make
Your chastity your Religion, beware of too much gazing;
Eyes oftentimes dart forth a lustre
That will dull devotion were it arm'd
With all its sacred glories.
Enter Halisdus.
Hal.
How fares it Royall Princess with you
After this wished conference?
Des.
As with a weary Mariner shipwrackt in the Haven.
Many a tedious voyage has this wandring bark
Past in the gulf of desperation, yet still was ever
Lost in the port of happiness; oh Halisdus!
I am grown weary with this sayling;
Is there no other way for to be happy,
But by this most infortunate adventure?
Hal.
Yes Madam, if you'l be advis'd. You know
On what condition Bermudo holds his Crown
Just now with you broke it; If you please then
I'le tell your brother of the forfeiture, and so
To save his life hee'l condiscend unto your will.
Des.
Accursed policie to shun a rock
And fall mongst Pyrates; Far,
Far be it from Desdonella to enjoy that love
That comes by composition; that were an act
Becoming those that set a common price on Chastity,
And sell Repentance unto Prodigals.
True love admits no hire, tis Lust not Love
We bargain for. Grant he has sin'd,
Ought I to punish him: Will ere the Leopard
Chide the Ermine for being spotted? That were
To blame their own deformity in another
Without excusing of themselves.
Hal.
Thou art too virtuous Desdonella:
None I can blame for thy misfortune but thy virtue.
Oh ye powers! Is this that just reward which virtue payes?
All will hereafter strive for to be vicious
If excellence must merit misery. Come Desdonella
I'le to thy Cave, and furnish all thy wants:
Thy virtues glories had they their perfect light
Would puzzle all eternity to write.
Exeunt to the Cave.
Sce. 3.
Enter Constantina.Con.
Where am I now? what mak'st thou Constantina here?
Alas I am come to do a Message,
And have forgot my errand; oh nere remember it.
Could'st thou forget ever, thou mighst be happy.
Thou must accuse Fidelio; Thou must dye first:
Though he has sin'd, thy tongue shall never punish him.
Oh Fidelio thou art false, false as inconstancy it self,
False unto me, and to the worlds vast expectation too.
Is this the melancholy life thou vow'dst so oft
To lead in Lelybæus? why did my soul
Leave her religious Sanctuary, Countrey, friends, and all
To see thee court my ruine in an unknown Land?
Should I now chide, and seek Revenge,
I did but Justice, 'Twere equity
No Rigor should I kill thee.
I cannot be so much a woman; oh ye powers
Why made ye me so soft, and him so cruell.
Enter Charastus.
Hail gracious sir, these so dejected looks
Speak you Charastus: I have a message to you,
Would but you eye suffer your ear to hear it.
Why do you gaze so? has your divining soul
If some instinct has forestal'd my errand,
I shall not need for to relate. I'le only tell you sir.
You have a friend, by name Fidelio, a Man,
(A mine rather where scatter'd virtues gather'd up
Lye hoarded in a commixt unity)
If ere perfection was, it is in him. He Sir
Has spoke your cause so feelingly to Flavanda;
Pleaded with such divine and holy Oratory,
That her love now blazes with such violence
As I could wish you presently would see her.
Cha.
Divinest closure of a soul more pure,
No general pardon sent from Heaven
Could strike attention in me with so great a zeal
As thy commanding voyce as don; dearest,
Dearest Flavanda can'st thou suppose a poor,
And silly garment can keep me from
The discerning of thy excellence, that knew it,
When I lay a mishapen Embrio in the Chaos?
'Tis not a silken cloud, Divinest, that can hide the Sun.
Con.
You do mistake it sure.
This is a Meteor only, reflected from the true one.
Cha.
Those rayes are too too glorious for reflections,
They cast a lustre would make
An Angell of Æthiop, would not their heat
Convert him to his wonted colour.
Nor can I think such beams can meet
But in my dear Flavanda: Art thou not she?
I prithee say thou art, 'twill ease me somewhat.
Con.
Your reason sir will tell you that I am not.
Cha.
Make me not mad I prithee: can there be
Two most excellent, two most rare,
Two chiefest above all, it is a mysterie
Beyond two worlds: The Sun admits
No partner of his glory, the Phænix no partaker,
Why should not she the chiefest of all women
Assume the like Prerogative? Must there be
A divided essence of an united excellence?
Oh Nature! why didst thou give to man, two hands,
Two eyes, two Affections, and but one heart?
Pardon divinest Lady if my too much care
Has made me negligent, there is
A direfull conflict fought within me by two friends,
Either must have victory by my ruine:
What will that victory yield.
Con.
I see you are disturb'd sir;
I'le crave leave to return.
Exit.
Cha.
Thus does the Sun flie our Horizon,
Thus Night clad in a misty veil,
Spreads darkness o're the world,
Whil'st mortals wander in obscurity
Oh Love, thou art too much a wanton;
Thy sport's too serious. Who fires a Church
Or kills his parents may be happy,
Repentance oft will wash away that stain,
But he that loves, loves doubtfully as I,
No tears, no sorrows, nor repentant sighes
Can wipe away his misery, but he must dye
Starv'd in the midst of plenty.
Enter Fidelio.
Fid.
Why so sad Charastus? prepare your ears
To entertain news that will startle all your
Melancholy thoughts, and make your pamperd appetite
Swell high with contemplation of a happiness,
Flavanda's constant, more constant
Than a miser to his gold; The vestal Virgins
At their Altar may be tempted, but not she.
Cha.
Oh Fidelio thou hast abus'd my trust, I
Sent thee not to praise my constancy, but to try hers;
Didst thou not promise me to court her,
Nay court her in thy chiefest Rhetorick,
To use all the perswasions that thy tongue
Could in civility pronounce?
Fid.
And so I did, by all that's good, I did.
Cha.
Thou swearst not by thy self now:
He is not good that's false unto his friend.
VVhy stird'st thou a suspition in me of her constancy,
Yet ne're would seek to prove it?
What Devil has inspir'd thee with this falshood?
Cha.
It was my better Angel rather
Sent from Heaven to warn mee.
Didst thou not flatter me? extoll my loyalty
Beyond its merit? Tell her each figh I spent?
What tears her love had caus'd?
But that I know she is constant,
I should suspect her for thy prayses.
Fid.
If thou believ'st Charastus there is faith
Or loyalty in Fidelio, (which surely thou oughtst not to suspect)
I tempted her as far as piety and friendship
Would permit me, yet like a stedfast rock she stood
Throwing the insulting billows on the movers face.
Oh Charastus thou art happy;
She is a gem incomparable, and did I know
What envious tongue had blasted thus our reputation,
I'de make it eat its venome.
Cha.
If thou but heardst, it thou wouldst start,
And stand amaz'd to hear such sweetness.
Fid.
Do not delay your joyes with her Encomium.
A Priest and your Flavanda does expect you
For to tye that Knot which you before
Too rashly would have don, had my unlucky hand
Not hinder'd it:
Cha.
Alas Fidelio the tide is turn'd;
If now you wed me tis unto my grave.
From my divided heart springs a biforked flame,
Hymen will stand amaz'd to see't, and will not tell
At which to light his torch at.
Farewel Fidelio, death he needs not fear
That does desire to meet it every where.
Exit
Fid.
Oh Love thou art too cruell! How can'st thou tyrannize
Ore his too soft nature? Hadst thou but eyes
Thou then would'st pity him, but as thou art,
Blind and obdurate, thou shootst at random still;
So fortune guides thy shafts, and always she
Upon desert spends all her cruelty.
Exit.
| Love In it's Extasie : Or, The large Prerogative | |