 | Love and War |  |
Scen. 4.
Bellerrio, Lerenica, Histerica, Hollarro.Bell.
Madam,
It is a vain trifle of a small dispair,
I bring to presence, and not tediousness,
The businesse concerns much your safe-guard,
Grant it, and then I will relate.
Ler.
'Twere colours of a melanchollious sight,
For to convert the gesture to the sense;
And meaning of the close, your generous thoughts
Must speak to Ladies, not covert with a smile.
Bell.
The night spends forth her dews, beguils her hours
With strange adventures of a darksome truth,
So I diluted in the practice of,
Shall crave a place of watchman to your selfe,
In the foul progress of a dangerous time.
Ler.
Contempt, despise, and onely disdain grows
In my own breast against a cowards soul,
If that report doth bring a news unto
My audience, not valour flowes from veins
Of your Microcosm; I should deride
The case unto your face, so plead not that,
I'le shift for one, take you no care for me.
Bell.
Oh obstinate!
Holl.
Heavens bless the wisdom of my genius now.
[Aside.
What State or Generall drew that velvet screene
Of painting troubles 'twixt my eye and heart?
Lerenica, what's that name Lerenica?
Sure 'tis no Taper of a fiery blaze:
She pierceth the rights, and joyneth union.
Could my stiffe arm withstand Numenia,
And not the glances of a womans eye?
The Realm produceth no such knots of fear:
I see her basis, and her vertex too,
Surround the Camp of her delicious soul,
Yet stand a loof, not undertake the cause,
Because discreetest deeds bid me forbear.
The various forms that heart and spirit moves,
Were cause enough to make one lunatick:
She enters souls, not cares for mortall shews,
And makes my tongue tremble 'cause I report it;
Well, 'tis thy garb and gesture wins the soul
Of Prince Hollarro to a nuptiall song;
My breath must have no passage, if dis-joyn'd
From the bright rayes of such a mool-sun's light;
Bellerrio shall know, 'twas Hollarro laid
The same design (I love Lerenica)
I long to see the wells and springs of fire
Still kindled more; so I'le go to my sire,
And make his Majestie acquainted with't.
Exit Hollarro.
Hist.
A heap of vermine dispatch a famine
To a common-wealth, and ill-disposed manners,
So you dispair unto a Ladies will.
Bell.
Hold your tongue, you are troubled with Histerical fits,
Falls under question of a sole denyall:
Muse no more, but let discretion answer
Unto the cause; the bud is sprung, and fruit
Must have its time to come unto maturity;
But too long kept, grows putrid in it selfe:
Trenches and shelves are horrid stratagems,
Unto the ships tost on the ruder waves,
But time dilate them to their confusion,
Making no Caves but solid earth of them.
Mark then that Gentleman, which is rough before,
But bald behind, and there no hold to get.
Lere.
The revenue of a Maidens life,
Is the whole Wardrope of all mirth and joy;
But when combin'd unto a fouler Mass,
Provision of all strife and vain discord,
Venturing the plundering of such nature gifts,
Were sacriledge beyond the end of hope;
Therefore desist a truder to bereive
The same which never nature doth restore,
Mine's kept for better spirits than your selfe.
Bell.
Those words are like a Parthian, flying kills,
And raise a mutiny of furies in my brain;
Forbear that contemplating case, Homer
Had ne're blasted fair Helen's fame so far,
But knew the disposition of that shrine,
Would equalize her attributed parts:
Prefer no more those sparing words, but quench
The concealed fire of affection;
Shall I imbrace, grant, help my mind?
Lere.
Great Duke, you take a spangled action of
No man, to court the meeting of two
Opposites, secresie requires advantage of a sight,
But you erre grosse, losing honour by it,
Because you force, rather then perswade.
Bel.
Madam, 'tis my desire must bring excuse,
Because it's parts are invisible to the eye,
Then a short return shall not impoverish
My honour: I must, because in love.
Lere.
Vouchsafe no further to prolong your talk,
For it is tedious, and the time requires
Fire in my Bed-chamber.
Hist.
'Tis done, Madam.
Bell.
Since yet dejected, still I'le beg the place,
To be your servant for an hours space.
Exeunt.
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