University of Virginia Library

Scœn. 5.

Amilcar.
Coynes and Lust, arch-enemies to loue,
Combat apace within my youthfull bloud;
Feare to attempt my vn-experienc'd wish,
Tels me with what a coy and constant face
The Queene will start in motiues of my lust;
(For I no better Title can bestow
On our audacious meaning) lust abounds,
Free from all apprehension of that loue
Which simple-meaning youths do still protest
And vow to virgin-chastity; but I,
Who am inflam'd with ambiguity
Will not imbarque a faithlesse vow so farre
As evaporate promise, which infects
Beyond fierce natures lust, and stabs my fame:
Because rich Nature, although couetous,
Loth to conferre a full satiety
Of goodnesse, vpon me her suppliant,
Hath yet impos'd one vertue aboue all,
In promise euer to disdaine the breath,
Though strict obseruance do my weale impeach:
Yes, I preferre the violent attache
Of maiden-head, before false promises;
For (all can witnesse) rape's a thing in act,
So there's an end; We never doe dissemble,
Nor do extinguish sparkes of sanctity
With fraud, with vn-supported periury,
(Ioyning ranke false-hood to concupiscence)
Protesting marriage to enioy a smacke,
And so deceiue the long desirous wombe
Of hop'd fruition: A hot rauisher
Giues what the wombe would otherwise demand:
Yet will I not enrage my lust so farre,
As violence to wrong the beauteous Queene,
If shee (as women will) proue plyable,
Nor will engage on oath to assevêre
What I disdaine, yoak'd-marriage; for indeed,
Women be clogs which hang about the necke
Of man, so heauy till it sometimes breake:
A well-couch'd theame of loue shall therefore try
If without promise I may mount on high:
The bonds of marriage I abhorre to chuse,
And rather would vpon such points refuse
The noble Queene (if to accomplish it
Were possible) then happily enioy:
Seeing nature doth demand variety,
Admitting which, with full saciety,
Health is impeach'd, and many men made poore,
Who hauing honest wiues will hugge a whoore.