 | The Enchanted Lovers |  |
SCENA III.
MELISSA, MELINTUS, CLIDAMAT, PARTHENIA, THIMANTES, ISMENIA.MELISSA
to MELINTUS.
What doth this stroak surprize thee?
Melintus.
Truly, Madam,
Their punishment's too great, and all the Jsland
Murmureth at it.
MELISSA.
Shepheards, what say you?
Can J revenge me of an injury?
CLIDAMANT.
Yes, Madam, and th'estate wherein y'ave put them
Hath made all those their friends that envi'd them
Hear our petitions for them, and be pleas'd
To do them justice: what have they committed
Worthy of such a punishment? for having
Hid their love from you, lived in your Court
Under the name of brother, and of sister,
Deceiv'd the hope and envy of their Rivals,
Conserv'd their honour, and, perhaps, their life,
Is this so great a crime, as should be punish'd
By charmes which have no end? must they be made
To dye, and to revive continually
By turns, and by a strange unworthy fate
62
Still to lament the dead? their pittious cryes,
And hideous clamours give both souls & mouths
Unto those rocks to join in plaints with me:
The whole Isle's moved with them, and disturb'd
PARTHENIA.
Madam, I join in this petition,
Vouchsafe to hear me: O forbear to dart
Thunder and wrath upon this happy place,
Where the Gods liberally pour upon mortals
So many and so great felicities:
Begin not to disturb the sweet repose
Of an abode that's favoured by Heaven,
To please those Shepheards, whose devotions
May fix upon some other Sanctuary
More safe, and other Soveraigns more sweet.
Thimantes.
Yes, Madam, stop the mouth of this sad murmur,
Let it be smother'd, this inchantment hath
Continued too long, break, break the charm,
And pacifie our spirits immediately,
Which are astonished at this proceeding.
ISMENIA.
If in the freedom which J use too frequently,
My mouth might dare to speak, and not displease you,
I should then tell you that this rigid course
You take, would leave you here nor Shepheardesses
Nor Shepheards; they would seek this place no more
For their retrait and sanctuary, but shun it
Like a destroying rock; and this fair Iland
The glory of the world, would be a wilderness:
To enjoy subjects, rule your passions better,
And be more soveraign over your self.
63
Shepheards, and Shepheardesses, your discourses
Astonish and surprize me, know, my Art,
Is a sufficient warrant for my actions;
J could do greater yet, and stranger too:
Though this which you have seen seemeth unjust
Unto you, have you any right, or priviledge
To complain to me, and to murmur thus?
Much less to reprehend, and censure me?
How! should the bold Shepheard Thersander dare
To injure me, and to deride my power?
Should he presume to lay aside his duty
And respect for me, and I wink at it,
That so can punish such an insolence?
Presume it not, the blood of Zoroastres
Is not yet born under so ill a star,
J know its influence better, and can use it
To the destruction of those that wrong me:
Yes, Shepheards, I am skilful in the qualities
Of herbs and roots, and as I have occasion
J chuse them, some for poyson, some for medicine:
When I wil, I prescribe some to confound
The memorie, and to distract the spirit;
But those obnoxious weeds I never use
But for their punishment that do offend me;
Have I not reason to maintain my rank
In dignity and honour? those that dare
To brave me, without doubt, hazard themselves:
My scepter's guarded with enwreathed serpents,
Whose fearful aspects bid all keep aloof,
And threaten death to those that dare to touch it:
Thirsis hath felt their stings: vvhat reason had he
To be an enemy to his ovvn fortune
And interest, in foolishly refusing
The honour of the name to be my Nephevv:
103
Shall yet accept this honourable title
Of Husband to my Neece; Parthenia,
Your colour changes, but in vain you hide
Your thoughts from me, I can discover them,
I know that you love Clidamant, and more
What you design, and what you do discourse;
But understand both one and t'other of you,
That I must be obey'd in what I will;
My power can force it; take heed ye provoke not
My anger; if J may not be belov'd,
J will be fear'd.
PARTHENIA.
Madam—
MELISSA.
It is enough,
You know my prohibition.
CLIDAMANT,
I hope
To bend her, but at present let's say nothing.
THIMANTES.
We all know your high rank and quality
With reverence and respect, so in that notion
We imploy but our prayers to perswade you;
They are our onely arms, be touched with them,
And dissipate these charms: Thersander now
Begins t'awake out of his fatal fit;
You'l hear his plaints and clamours presently,
His cryes and his despair for his dear Mistress
This is the hour, wherein he is tormented:
This object without doubt before your eyes
Will raise up pitty, Madam, in your heart:
His sighs will quench your anger, and prevail
Much more then we; see he begins to move:
Madam, you will be touch'd, to hear him speak.
| The Enchanted Lovers | |