University of Virginia Library

SCEN. 3.

To them, Melesippus, Diarchus.
Diar.
Ply her strongly Brother, give her not time
Meerly to breathe: if her unguided answer
Would fain be cloath'd in a Denyal, if
A discontent break from her forehead, then
Lay out your Power, stifle her speech ith' birth,
And choak all passage up with the rehearsal
Of that lowd Name of Father.

Mel.
I am perfect
In your Instructions. Daughter you still appear
Wrapt up in Clouds, and whil'st other Ladies
Study their boxes, and still practise helps
For to preserve their Beauty, you alone
Desire the ruine of your own Face: Fie!
Grow chearful, I shall else perhaps conceive
That I am your Disease.

Art.
Father, your presence
Is alwaies welcome as of my Tutelar God,
And it must needs be some strange unheard of message
That makes your sight grow tedious.

Dia.
Brother now,
Now for my counsel.

Mel.
Nay then I have it:
Now Artemone by a Fathers plea,
By the unbounded limits of Sire—

Dia.
And by the priviledge an Uncle beares
In a reflexion from that Sacred Name—

Hyp.
Here are love Philtrums now; hey for Philonax.

Art.
Do not thus wrong the vertue you have giv'n me:
What need these charms? when even your fainter breath,
Though utter'd in a more familiar sound,
Would prove a Spel unconquer'd.

Mel.
We do not bring
Any severer Magick by whose art
Thou might'st be suppled to thy overthrow.

Dia.
Love is our sole Inchantment, and a Care
For your continual welfare.

Art.
'Las such Newes
Would challenge its own welcome, though not involv'd
In this mysterious Dialect: I've not heard
Of any one so much his own bad friend
As to be woo'd to a Good fortune; know then
Father and Uncle, Stiles of Providence,
What e're the message be your Cares have brought,
I will receive it with a Joy as great,
As much unlimited as I grant your Pow'r,
And in acknowledgment shall still remain
Due to your free disposal.

Dia.
Some hopes yet,
I see shee's well prepar'd.

Mel.
I, here's the sound
Of sweet Obedience! why should tender years
Fling off their Fortunes through an Appetite
And fit of liking: That Affection
Will prove most durable, where knowing Age
And a considerate choice confirm the match.

Dia.
Well, I'le be silent yet, my lesser pow'r
May but perchance hinder the good Event.

Art.
Then I perceive that love will be the scope
Of this Authentick language; your discourse
Well season'd with a grave discretion,
And the Authority of a Parents will
Have thus far won upon me: I confesse
Though in the hastinesse of my Desires
As far as my Affection is my own,
(Yet still reserving a due share for you)
I have in heart betroath'd it to Lysander,
Yet not so chain'd, but that your just displeasure
Might break the knot, or (what I'de rather wish)
Your mild advice untie it.

Hyp.
A brave cunning Lady!
Her Father now must thank her, and be oblig'd
Because hee'l grant her wish.

Dia.
Let but my Neece
Hold on this course, and by my better hopes
I will reward her as she were my Daughter:
And by the Dowry I will cast upon her,
It shall be thought she was Diarchus issue.

Art.
Sir, though I did not hope for a Reward
Besides the naked Act of my clear duty,
I should not start from my obedience:
My thoughts are so Immaculate, that I
Could never mean to buy my Innocence,
And make a Trade of vertue.

Mel.
Then my Girle,
I hope thou art prepar'd to entertain
Philonax's love, he, the Senator?

Art.
I feel my Coldnesse melting! Sir, your breath
Hath rais'd a heat in my Affections,
Which until then were frozen. I confesse,
And now dare speak it; I love Philonax,
And were he present, could receive his Courtship
With more then formal kindnesse.

Dia.
Hyperia,
Go and intreat him hither.

(Exe. Hyp.)
Mel.
Tell him we expect
His quick approach: I would not have him slip
This very punctual minute; Sure this Love
Hath his set times; would he were here already.
How aguish her desires are! Now 'tis her fit
To like and to be well; now she growes hot
And zealous in her Love, which erst was cool'd
And fann'd by a chill Scorn: There is an hour
Lucky to Suitors, and 'tis fall'n out now.
Let all young men hereafter wooe by th'Clock,
Try how the pulse beats, and promote their Suite,
As we give Physick by the Almanack;
Search how the weather goes; such a day's fair,
For Lovers, fair as their own Mistresse Face;
Such a day's clouded o're with frowns, and brings
Foul weather, shed for her distorted looks.—
Is he not come yet? how I begin to fear
This good time will be over-straight? not yet?—
It is a wealthy Suitor.—Here he comes.—