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Scen. 7.
Laurinda. Dorylas. Alexis. Damon.Da.
Here comes my joy or death.
Do.
O pittifull!
Al.
My sweet affliction.
Do.
Pittifully sweet!
Nere feare your father, Mistresse, kisse securely,
I'le be your Mercury, and charme a sleepe
Old Argus.
Lau.
Doe.
Do.
But if he chance to spy
You and your sweet-hearts here, I know not of it.
Lau.
You doe not!
Do.
Nay you know if I had seene them,
45
Lau.
Y'are a trusty servant.
Do.
Poore Dorylas is blind, he sees not here
Damon, no nor Alexis.
Lau.
No not hee!
Do.
Alack I am innocent: if the belly swell
I did not fetch the poyson.
Lau.
No, begone.
Exit Dorylas.
Da.
Laurinda now for mercy sake give period
To our long miseries.
Alex.
Now you are like cruell
To both, and play the tyrant equally,
On him you hate as much as him you love.
Da.
Depriving one the comfort of his joy.
Ale.
The other the sure remedy of his death!
Lau.
Damon you have a Love, fair Amaryllis,
Content your selfe with her.
Da.
I'le rather kisse
An Ethiops crisped lip: imbrace a Viper!
Deformity it selfe to her is fair.
Al.
Damon thou hast thy answer.
Lau.
And Alexis,
There be in Sicilie many Virgins more
Worthy your choice: why did you plac't on mee?
Goe seeke some other.
Alex.
O those words to me
Are Poyson.
Da.
But to me an Antidote.
Al.
Thus she gave life to me to tak't away:
Da.
And me she slew to raise me up againe:
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Of mee?
Lau.
Thou art the glory of the woods.
Alex.
And what am I?
Lau.
The pride of all the Plaines.
Ale.
These your ambiguous termes have now too oft
Deluded us.
Da.
Shew by some signe which of us
You have design'd for happinesse.
Lau.
So I will.
Shee takes Damon's Garland and weares it on her own head: and puts her own on Alexis.
Damon, as I affect thee, so I vow
To wear this Garland that adornes thy brow.
This wreath of flowres, Alexis, which was mine
Because thou lov'st me truly, shall be thine.
This is plain dealing; let not Cupid's warres
Drive your affections to uncivill jarres!
Exit.
Da.
Now happy Damon shee thy Garland weares
That holds thy heart chain'd in her golden haires!
Alex.
Most blessed I! this Garland once did twine
About her head that now imbraces mine.
Dam.
Desist Alexis, for shee deignes to have
The Garland that was mine.
Alex.
But me she gave
That which was hers.
Da.
Tis more to take then give.
Alex.
I think 'tis greater kindnesse to receive.
Da.
By this your share's the lesse, you but receive.
Al.
And by your argument, yours you did but give!
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Da.
Then shee did approve
Of my affection best, shee took my love.
Ale.
Fond Damon, she accepted love frō thee,
But what is more, she gave her love to mee;
In giving that to mee, she proves my right.
Do.
Why took she mine, but meaning to requite?
Alex.
I will dispute no more.
Da.
Then let our speares
Plead for us,
Alex.
And determine of our feares.
Come Damon, by this argument let us prove,
Which tis of us Laurinda best doth love.
Da.
Yet tis, Alexis, clean against our oath.
Ale.
True, Damon, and perchance may ruine both!
Da.
So neither shall enjoy her.
Ale.
Cruell breath!
Besides this is the Sacred Vale, tis death
To staine the hallowed grasse but with one drop
Of humane blood.
Da.
So both should loose their hope!
Ale.
And which is more, 'tis against her commands.
Da.
Whose every breath has powre to stay our hands.
Ale.
Wee'l have her answer make a certain end.
Da.
Till then, Alexis, let me be thy friend.
Ale.
Come Damon, lets together seeke reliefe.
Da.
Tis fit, being Rivalls both in love and griefe.
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