University of Virginia Library

SCENA V.

MELISSA, DIANA, THERSANDER.
MELISSA.
A word, Diana.
Hast thou remov'd that fatal obstacle,
Which came to interrupt the pleasant course
Of my affections? hast thou setled
My lifes content, and razed Celia
Out of thy Brothers spirit?

Diana.
His heart follows
Where my voice and his glory calleth him,
And cheerfully yieldeth obedience
To such sweet Laws.

MELISSA.
Blessed Interpreter
Of a most ardent love! hast thou advis'd him
To keep it secret?

Diana.
Only that point, Madam,
J have forgotten, but J will redeem it;
And tell him on't before you; if you please
That I go for him.

MELISSA.
Go, and bring him hither.

Diana.
softly.
Feign handsomly unto her

Thersander.
softly to Diana.
Fear it not.
I'l speak before her but of you, and to you,
And yet not make her jealous.

Then he saith to Melissa, by whose side is Diana, whom he looks upon.
THERSANDER.
aloud.
Could you doubt
My heart should be so stupid, and insensible
Of my felicity how happy is
My fortune, and how gentle was the storm
That gave me this bless'd port, whereof great Kings
Are jealous? What proud Conqueror would not
Submit and lay his arms down with himself
At the fair feet of such a charming object?
A rude obdurate rock, would be consum'd,
The coldest Marble would be kindled by it:
Yes, Madam, a fair eye but openeth
Its lid here, & 'tis day; the nights black shadows
Fly only from the Sun of those bright eyes,
Her fires too at the sight of them grow pale.
I must confess then, Madam, that J love them,
And that J live more in this beauteous object
Then in my self: my spirit is charmed with
A happiness unparallell'd, when J
Think that J love them, and am belov'd again.

MELISSA.
Come, thou but feignest love? do not abuse me.

THERSANDER.
O Gods! what do you say? Madam, J love
Or rather J adore.

Melissa.
How hast thou then
Dispos'd of Celia that reign'd o'r thy heart?

THERSANDER.
That affair's ordered well, I've put her interests
Into my Sisters hands; sh' 'ath promis'd me
To make all fair of that side, and will answer
To me for her.

MELISSA.
Hast thou not boasted to me
That her eyes were the object of thy love?
That for thy sake she cherished the light
Of the alternate day, and that they would
Cover themselves with an eternal night,
If thou shouldst cease to live or to be faithfull:
Think well of thy part what th'ast promised;
Be firm, be constant, fail not in that point,
Consider not at all this supream greatness;
Stick to thine object, love it for it self,
And have no interest for thy ambition,
Flatter thee with the honour to possess her,
Look only if she loves thee, not if she
Enricheth thee; the beauty whom thou serv'st,
Should be thy crown, all greatness whatsoever
Should be esteem'd in thy accompt beneath it.

Thersander.
Ne'r doubt it, Madam, J shall have those thoughts;
Greatness shall never blind me so far forth
As to oblige me to forget my love;
Which alwaies shall pure as the day star burn
Base interest shall never sully me.

Diana.
I'l tell my Brother now, what I forgate
To THERSANDER.
If thou know'st well to love, know thou as wel
To hold thy peace, love like the other Gods,
Is not without his secrets, he is serv'd
Sometimes by hearts that can't express themselves:
Take heed how thou provoke his jealous power,
Adore his Altars, but adore in silence;
For silence is a part of his Religion;
And oftentimes this fierce God is offended
At his own name; if any thing hereof
Should be known in the Isle, thou art undone:
Love, without speaking of it, that's the law,
Which is imposed on thee; she for her part
Will love thee likewise, use the secret well,
Melissa otherwise would die with grief;
J know th'excess of love wherewith thy soul
Is filled; but for thy own interest,
Put a seal on thy mouth.

Melissa.
Yes, have a care
That none suspect our love, I'l take my time
To publish it, in the mean time I'l study
Thy setrlement and thy repose which makes
That of my life; this free confession now,
Would call up envy from her Cell, and make
Our greatest Hero's, to dispute with thee
What J have promis'd thee, thine enemies.
Judge then how precious thy obedience is;
Since all thy good and happiness depends
Upon thy silence.

Thersander.
Sure, J should be strucken
With a strange blindness, if J observ'd not
This your command; J will obey so well,
That, Madam, even you your self shal doubt
Whether J love, or whether you J love.

MELISSA.
In the mean time thy sister shall assist me,
And have the ordering of our Amours;
Believe what she shall say, since I will make her
My only bosom friend, unto whose trust,
J will commit the secrets of my heart.

THERSANDER.
J will make use of her in the same manner.

Enter Melintus, he speaks to Melissa
Melintus.
Madam, a Jeweller, that useth still.
To come unto the Games, desires accesse
Unto your presence.

MELISSA.
Cause him to come in:
This Sevil Merchant cometh every year
To sell and traffick in the Island with us.