University of Virginia Library

Scena Quarta.

Enter Florabella, Bellamour.
Flo.
My fairest love, my dearest Bellamour,
What meanes this sweet, though sullen sadnesse, which
Sits on those cheekes? what sad? and I so nigh?

Bell.
Your pardon, dearest Madame, I'de forgot
The happinesse caused by your Highnesse's presence,
Or rather, to say true, your Highnesse presence
Caus'd me forget myselfe; but say my fayre,
My soul's farre better part, what's to be done?
You say, Philocres doeth by private meanes
Your love importune; he's a neighbour Prince,
And one on whom 'tis like your father would
Gladly bestow you? we must now make use
Of time, and take him by the forelocke, else
'Twill be too late, and I for ever shall
Have cause to curse my fates which brought me hither.
Our soules are knit, and mine shall sooner grapple
With death, though pourtray'd in most ghastful shape,
Then ever suffer dissolution.

Flo.
I do believe thee, and do hugge myselfe
For making such a choyce; I'le rather begge
With thee then feast it with the greatest Prince alive.
She Idolls mucke and durt that ballances
Or state or wealth with true content, such as
Doe they possesse who joy in other's love.
As for Philochres, I'll embrace
Fire 'twixt mine armes thus, 'till therewith I have
Made myselfe sacrifice and sacrificer,
Rather than be polluted with so foule
A touch as his.

Phil.
'Tis well, 'tis very well,
Some now would let his anger straight breathe out
And publish his dislikes, but so'll not I,
My vengeance though defer'd shall yet be such
As when it falls (and fall for sure it shall)
Shall richly pay my patience interest.
Love thus farewell, and wellcome dire revenge.
[Exit Philochres]

Flo.
Why stand you mute so long, my Bellamour?
If ought molest you, let me share thereof,
For I will share in all your good and bad.

Bell.
Heard you not ever Madame, how that joy
Or griefe excessive in an instant have
Strucke many dead? if so I wonder I
Survive, who share so deepe in both; my joy
Will need no words to set it forth; 'twill be
By all men easily guest at: it exceedes
Expression.

Flo.
But whence proceedes your griefe?

Bell.
From selfe-unworthiness to think that I
A private Gentleman, a stranger too
Should be the cause of such ensuing woes
To such an all-deserving Lady: one
Who fit bride for an Emperour will though
Bestow your selfe on me:
To this I adde your father's losse, to whom
I for so noble usage stand indebted;
Your losse in loosing him, for sure he'll ne're
Give his consent his goodliest Cedar should
Stoope to a bramble bush.

Flo.
These are but trifles:
But I too late perceive my errour, those
Your feares foretell a want of love, and me
Therein most wretched.

Bell.
Now Madame by my soul
You do misconstrue me, which to make good
Say what, and where, and when, and build on me.

Flo.
Then thus, I'le order take to have a Gally rig'd,
And brought into our channel, wherein I
Some evenings on the water will disport
My selfe: this three or foure times done
Will free us of suspicion: meane while
I'le order take for all things necessary.
Packe up my Jewells, and then packe my selfe
Away with thee my Bellamour; we will
For Italy; I'le wayte upon thee home
To see that happy Countrey (for sure such
It is) that brought thee forth; there we
By means of Jewells, Cash, and other things
Which I'le provide for, will spend all our days
In love and plenty.

Bell.
Madame be mercifull,
Let not your blessing flow thus all at once
Lest I do therein surfett.
My deedes, not words, shall speak my thankfulnesse.

Flo.
Well then, no more of this: you meane to tilt
To-morrow do you not?

Bell.
Madame I doe,
And doubt not but to make Philocres know
There lodgeth more of worth within my breast,
A private Gentleman, than his a Prince.
And that of this I may be more secure
Pardon me Madame, if I beg a boone:
For all your favours amply heap't on me
Worke like effect as well cook't sauces doe
Which fill not, but provoke fresh appetite.
You must or me deny or graunt one favour more.

Flo.
I rest assured you will nothing aske
May misbecome my modesty to graunt,
Nor your worth to demand, therefore proceede.

Bell.
That I may then in this my bickering
With happy augure go more boldly on
Bestow on me some favour, dearest Madame,
That if at any time my forces fayle,
Looking on it, and in it, whence it came,
Like to Antheos, who by touching ground
New forces got, I may with viewing it,
My strength redouble, and make whatsoe're
Shall me withstand, seeme smoake before the winde.

Flor.
'Tis bravely said, and 'cause your worth to me
So well is knowen I dare not feare successe,
Here is a chayne of Oriental pearle,
My mother in her death-bed left it me,
With charge that I should never from it part,
Save unto him to whom I gave my heart;
Then since you have the one accept the other,
Take this and keepe it
As safe as I your love and memory.

Bell.
He must have Lyon's strength and foxe's pate
Robbes me of this inestimable jewell,
Rich in it selfe, richer in worke-manship,
But richest farre above comparison
In respect of the giver, for were this
A peeble stone, or ring made of a rush,
And by your fairest hands presented, I'de
Not give it for what of worth the sea contaynes.
But Madame it grows late, and I as yet
Am not well-fitted for to morrow's sport:
Pardon me therefore if with humble kisse
Of your fayre hand, I this time bid Adieu,
Where e're my body is, my heart's with you.

Flo.
Then we have made an interchange of hearts,
When you are gone I'm sure that mine departs.