University of Virginia Library

SCENA V.

Mrs. Stan.
Now, Brother, what's your will?

Sir W. Stan.
I hope, this Room
Is private, and secure.

Mrs. Stanly.
You need not fear
An ambush; no close Spies can harbour here.
But whence this Caution?

Sir Will. Stanly.
Wonder not; I bring
A strict Commission for you from the King.
You must his Mistress gain; then happy we!
I shall a Prince, and you a Princess be.

Mrs Stanly.
'Tis the great Art of Kings for their Intents
To make right choice of proper Instruments;
But ours ha's grosly fail'd in his own Trade.
Pray, bid him chuse again.

Sir Will. Stanly.
You can perswade
The Princess.

Mrs. Stanly.
No: I love him not so well,
Nor her so little.

Sir Will. Stanly.
But have Gifts no Spell
To charm your Heart, and dazel your young Eyes?

Mrs. Stanly.
Him, and his Gifts I equally despise.

Sir Will. Stanly.
You serve your Mistress, making her a Queen.

Mrs. Stanly.
Brother, you know her not: But, had you been
In presence at her secret Vows to day,
You would not dare to think what now you say.
Her Honour, and Revenge she values so,
That she for them will Crown and Life forgo.

Sir Will. Stanly.
You have her favour, and at least may try,
If she will yield a little and comply.

Mrs. Stanly.
Such is her Horrour of him, that no Age
Did so much Beauty see with so much Rage.
This undertaking would too dearly cost,
For, next the Tyrant, she would hate me most.

Sir Will. Stanly.
Sister, with equal Joy great proofs I sin!
Both of your faithful, and her generous Mind.
And now suppose, that I a Champion show,
Who will, and can destroy her powerful Foe;
May this bold undertaker hope to prove,
As in her cause, successful in her Love?

Mrs. Stanly.
In common Justice she can do no less,
Then love the Authour of such happiness.

Sir Will. Stanly.
Will she that powerful Passion for him own,
Which mingles Souls, and makes two Lovers one?
So high a work should be as highly paid;
Who kills the Dragon must enjoy the Maid.

Mrs. Stanly.
Now you come on too fast: For he must wear
Of Royalty the sacred Character,
Who without Sacriledge attempts to be
At such a holy shrine Love's Votarie.

Sir Will. Stanly.
Sister, you talk in a Romantick strain;
Pray, spare your Metaphors, and be more plain.

Mrs. Stanly.
Brother, the Queen, and Princess!

[Enter the Queen, and the Princess.]
Sir Will. Stanly.
Let us go,
For I have much to say, and you to do.

Princess.
Madam, your pardon and your leave I pray
To speak one word with her.

Queen.
Daughter, you may.

The Princess talks in private with Mrs. Stanly, and the Queen advanceth forwards upon the Stage.
Queen.
To what extremes am I reduc'd by fate?
I give to him, whom mortally I hate,
Her, whom my heart loves most! It must be so:
To save a child, I must oblige a Foe!
The unconcern'd may the World's Censure weigh;
I Nature, and Necessity obey.
Let Honour's Laws be scan'd by Rules of Art;
None, but poor Mothers know a Mothers Heart!

The Princess comes forwards to the Queen.
[Exeunt Sir William Stanly and Mistris Stanly.