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SCENA 1.
Laurinda. Dorylas.Dor.
Tis newes Laurinda that will ravish you!
Laur.
How, ravish mee? if't be such desperat newes
I pray conceale it.
Dor.
So I will.
Lau.
Nay Dorylas,
Pray tell it though.
Dor.
Tis desperat newes, I dare not.
Laur.
But prithee doe.
Dor.
I must conceale it.
Laur.
Doe not.
Dor.
Mistresse, you have prevail'd: I will relate it.
Laur.
No matter though whether you doe or no.
Dor.
No? then I will not tell you.
Laur.
Yet I care not
Much if I heare it.
2
And I care not much
Whether I tell't or no.
Laur.
What is it?
Dor.
Nothing.
Laur.
Sweet Dorylas let me know.
Dor.
What pretty weather-cocks
These women are? I serve a Mistresse here
Fit to have made a Planet: sheele waxe and wane
Twice in a minute.
Laur.
But good Dorylas
Your newes.
Dor.
Why excellent Newes!
Laur.
But what?
Dor.
Rare newes!
Newes fit,
Laur.
For what?
Dor.
To be conceal'd: why Mistresse
The Rivalls, those on whom this Powerfull face
Doth play the tyrant.—
Laur.
Dorylas what of them?
Dor.
Now, now shee wanes: O for a dainty Husband
To make her a full Moone. The amorous couple!
Your brace of sweet hearts Damon and Alexis
Desire your audience.
Lau.
Is this all your newes?
You may conceale it.
Dor.
Now you have heard it told
I may conceale it! well I thanke thee Nature
Thou didst create mee Man, for I want wit
Enough to make up woman: but good Mistresse
3
Laur.
As a man
Worthy the best of Nymphs:
Dor.
What of Alexis?
Laur.
As one that may deserve the fairest Virgin
In Sicilie.
Dor.
What Virgin?
Lau.
Proserpine,
Were shee yet Ceres daughter.
Dor.
And what Damon?
Lau.
Hee? Ceres selfe, were she not yet a Mother:
Dor.
Creet, Creet! There is no Labyrinth but a woman
Laurinda, gentle Mistresse tell mee which
Of these you love?
Lau.
Why Damon best of any.
Dor.
Why so, that's well and plain.
Lau.
Except Alexis.
Dor.
Why then you love Alexis best?
Lau.
Of any.
Dor.
I am glad out.
Lau.
But my Damon.
Dor.
Be this true
And Ile be sworne Cupid is turn'd a jugler?
Præsto! you love Alexis best but Damon,
And Damon but Alexis! Love you Damon?
Lau.
I doe.
Dor.
And not Alexis?
Lau.
And Alexis.
Dor.
Shee would ha' both I thinke.
Laur.
Not I by Ceres.
4
Then you love neither?
Lau.
Yes, I doe love either.
Dor.
Either, and yet not both, both best, yet neither;
Why doe you torture those with equall Racks,
That both vow service to you? If your love
Have prefer'd Damon, tell Alexis of it;
Or if Alexis, let poore Damon know it,
That he which is refus'd, smothering his flame,
May make another choice, now doubtfull hope
Kindles desires in both.
Lau.
Ah Dorylas,
Thy yeares are yet uncapable of love!
Thou hast not learn'd the mysteries of Cupid!
Dost thou not see through all Sicilia,
From gentlest sheapheards to the meanest swaines,
What inauspitious torches Hymen lights
At every wedding? what unfortunate hands
Linke in the wedding ring? Nothing but feares
Iarres, discontents, suspicions, jealousies,
These many yeares meet in the Bridall sheetes.
Or if all these be missing, yet a Barrennesse,
A curse as cruell, or Abortive births
Are all the blessings crowne the Geniall bed?
Till the successe prove happier, and I finde
A blessed change, ile temper my affection
Conceale my flames, dissemble all my fires
And spend those yeares I owe to Love and Beauty
Only in choosing on whose love to fixe
My Love and beauty.
Dor.
Rare Feminine wisdome:
5
Lau.
Yes, goe call them hither.
Yet doe not, now I thinke on't: yet you may too;
And yet come back againe.
Dor.
Nay I will goe.
Lau.
Why Dorylas.
Dor.
What newes?
Lau.
Come back I say.
Dor.
Yes to be sent againe.
Lau.
You'l stay I hope.
Dor.
Not I by Ceres.
Lau.
Dorylas.
Dor.
No good Mistresse
Farewell for I at length have learn'd to know
You call me back only to bid mee goe.
Exit.
Lau.
Tis no great matter sirrah:—when they come
Ile beare my selfe so equall unto both,
As both shall thinke I love him best, this way
I keepe both fires alive, that when I please
I may take which I please.—But who comes here?
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