University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Spheranti, Celimant.
SPHE.
Is not this fight enough deare Celimant,
To choak that fire up within my brest
Which I too long have nourish'd to my ruine
For an ungratefull, and perfidious woman,
Was it too little to disdain a Prince,
And run into the hands of one she knew not
Unlesse having quitted him, for whom his worth
And valour pleaded she become the prey
Of a y that will-seize her, see Don Sancho
Has made her his already, and shall I
Love where I am so rivall'd, no my heart
If thou must be a captive, let thy fetters
Be such as need not shame the wearer.

CEL.
Friend,
Which name I rather chuse to call you by
Then brother, (since you cannot be her husband
With safety of your honour) could you think
That she can spare her modesty, whose falshood
Spar'd not her brother, and her Country too,
No sir, believe, she that is base her self
Cannot love vertue in an other person:
For how should she love that she never knew;
Heer then put out your flame, and think Spheranti
That this conformity of our lives and fortune
Which makes me share in all your passions
May link our hearts so fast we shall not need
Such an alliance to confirme the knot.

SP.
J know not friend whether J be more happy
In losing of my love, then in the finding
Th'assurance of thy friendship; now let fortune
Look well or ill upon me in thy love
Ile summe up all my blisse, nor can J think
Brave Celimant, will professe lesse to me.

CEL.
Which to confirme, no ceremonious oath
The band of doubtfull, and inconstant souls
Shall J now take; thee friendship, J invoke,
When J do leave this Prince, let me be left
Without a friend, J and without a name.

SP.
J know my father at this time endevours
My liberty, (if at least J can call
This thraldom, where J am so well receiv'd)
But I'me resolv'd to run your course of fortune,
My freedom joyn'd with yours is welcome to me
Else a worse torment then that bondage was
Your sisters rigour did impose.

CEL.
No more
Deare friend of her; come, come forget her name.

SP.
Since she could be so thanklesse to disdain,
The man that quit his liberty for her,
Which when the Cid did offer, I refus'd
To follow her, who follow all men else
And that her crime has merited my hate
I have shook off that chain; but finde my self
Caught in another which thou dost not know
Tis such as makes me feare my liberty
I cannot go from hence, and think I'me free.

CEL.
You are in love it seems.

SP.
Yes Celimant.
I am in love, and as much in despaire.

CEL.
Is there a beauty can oppose your Courtship,
What quality is higher then your own?
Why should you then despaire?

SP.
I but the horrour
Of being vanquish'd makes me think my self
Unworthy to look up to such a height.

CEL.
Consider that your fortune was to yield
His to orecome, yet did you long dispute it
And bravely too; what can you feare Spheranti?

SP.
To be too rash.

CEL.
To be too rash, let hope
Remove those thoughts, and you will not displease her,
A vertuous love was never odious.
But tell me sir, what name has this your Mistris,
Honour my freedome with this trust.

SP.
Th'Infanta,
Deere Celimant has snatcht my heart, and though
My eyes were caught in their first motion to her,
Yet durst I not discover it till now;
But such force has my flame, it will not be
Contain'd within the limits of my heart
But must break out to thee and suddainly
To her, which if displeasing is my death.

CEL.
Hope better sir, I am your caution
She shall receive the offer of your vowes.