University of Virginia Library

Scena Tertia.

Florabella sola.
Flo.
I am resolv'd, and doubtlesse well resolv'd,
Better's a meaner life joyn'd with content
Than scepters wayted on with thorny cares,
For if well weigh'd, this worldly wealth and honour
Are burdensome; who abounds in wealth
His part thereof is least; he's thereby more possest
Than he doeth it possess: greatest tytles
As King or Queene are not true happinesse,
But rather fetters unto liberty.
The meaner subjects with more freedome doe
Their harmlesse sport enjoy than soveraignes.
But I much wonder Bellamour so long
Absents himselfe from me, he is not wont
To be so long away.

Enter Lucina.
Luc.
What! all alone
Fayre Lady? What's the businesse now in hand
That brookes no company? may I partake
Of ought that troubles you?

Flo.
I thank my fates
There's nothing troubles me, my deare Lucina.
The calmnesse of the Evening tempted me
Missing of you to take the ayre alone.
But now I'm glad w'are met: what drew you hither?

Luc.
My service to seeke out your Ladyship.
You did not see the Prince of late Philocres?

Flo.
Nor care if I ever see him: pray leave
Further discourse of him, or I'le leave you.

Luc.
Nay Madame, rather than give you offense
In any thing I say, take heere my hand,
I'le never ope my mouth concerning him.

Flo.
On these tearmes none more wellcome than yourselfe.

Luc.
Say then, what shall we talke on? shall's discourse
Of love in generall?

Flo.
I know not what
Love meanes, if you make Love your theame
You must talke all yourselfe.

Luc.
A Lady past
Fifteen and know not what belongs to Love!
'Twere strange if true.

Flo.
'Tis not so strange as true.

Luc.
Pardon me, Madame, 'tis against my Creede,
And as a woman I must not believe it.

Flo.
Whom do you love, Lucina?

Luc.
Nay, that's more
Than I am bound to tell; but that I love
I doe not blush to say, for 'tis most true,
Once e're we dye Cupid will shew his power,
And since 'tis so decreed, 'tis better we
Give way to him whilst yong than when w'are old;
I have heard it said and do believe it true,
That there's no payne so great as when with dart
Cupid doeth pricke the aged doting heart.
Since then or first or last we must give way
To his all-swaying scepter, 'tis best betimes
When w'are fit fewell for his fire; but loe
Philocres comes.

Flo.
And as he comes I goe.
[Exit Florabella.

Enter Philocres.
Phil.
What, all alone my deare? who was't, with whom
You now were talking, and hath left you thus
Unmannerly alone?

Luc.
Your quondam Saint,
The Princess Florabella.

Phil.
O, was't shee?
She needed not have made such haste away,
I shall not her pursue when as you stay,
So let her goe, 'tis you I come to seeke.

Luc.
Now you have found me what's the newes?

Phil.
Loe heere
The thing I told you of, take this,
And fayle not your appointed time, you know
How to behave your selfe, what's to be done.

Luc.
Let me alone, to such an enterprise
As this I neede no spurres.

Phil.
Well then begone
Yet ere you goe, know I'll come in disguise,
Least in mine own shape men might eye me more,
And dogge me as I goe,

Luc.
I understand:
You'll keepe your watchword?

Phil.
Yes.

Luc.
And I'le keepe mine.
But say, doe lovers use to part thus calmely
Without a kisse or two?

Phil.
'Twas but forgot.
This kisse will serve my love to feed upon
Till it meet soone with more delicious fare.