University of Virginia Library

ACT. II.

SCENE I.

Bellinda sola.
Bell.
Ye aged Oaks, the semi-gods aboads,
And who your selves in antient times were gods;
Ye silent walks, and solitary groves,
Places which melancholy passion loves,
You I make only Confident of
My secret thoughts; I love, O dissipate
My words some gentle wind, in such minute,
And aiery particles, none in soft Characters
May ever read, nor ever find imprest,
This most important secret of my brest;
But whe'r my lov'd Philander live, or no,
Heaven knows, I do not know
By other Argument than that I live my self,
Have so dear sympathy with him, infallibly,
Were he but dead, I instantly should die,
Our Loves and Lives having but one thrid, one knife,
And once but cut our Loves, and cut our Life:
Mean time my daily musings which only ar
But waking dreams, and nightly Dreams, which ar
But sleeping Actions, both testimony bears,
“Love's a solicitous thing, and full of Fears,—
But soft, I've blab'd too much I fear,
See Philena coming here.

SCENE II.

Philena, Bellinda.
Phi.
My dear Bellinda! and where have you bin so long
Without Philena! to call me your life, and live
So long without me! to call me your heart, and make
Me such a stranger to your breast! trust me 'tis most
Unkindly, most unnaturally don.

Bel.
Sweetest Philena, until my heart was all
Repleat with bitterness, I call'd you my heart indeed;
And till I was a weary of my life,
I esteem'd you as my life; but now all the joy,
Delight, and Comfort lost, Bellinda has
My heart and life, being all comfited
In bitterness and woe,
It is not fit I longer call you so.

Phi.
A sad Complement, this Bellinda, and such
A little shu'd have attended from so dear a friend:
Complements in friendship being like Sinister bars
In Haraldry, but marks of Bastardice;
Why serve friends, but when cares and woes molest,
To lighten th'heavy burthen of our breast?
But to be confident w'ye, I much suspect
You are not so with me, and that ther's somewhat
Of Artifice in't, you decline my company
So much; and make me not partaker of
Your secret thoughts.

Bel.
Of all I know, I will,
And do Philena; but the gods know ther's
Somewhat in my brest I do not know my self;
You who are my heart, divine it if you can.

Phi.
Nay if you know it not, how should your heart
That's but a part of you? But give me leave
Bellinda to admire, that in so general a
Commotion and solicitude for you,
You shou'd appear so little solicitous,
So little mov'd, and so unconcern'd to day, whilst all
Are concern'd so much for you; Trust me 'tis
A Temper, or above, or below humanity.

Bel.
I'll tell thee Philena, I have considered,
That of all Creatures, Man's the most ingenious
In's own own affliction, and in's consolation the
Most dull; and that i'th navigation of
This life, in this frail barque of ours, where th'Gods
Are Pilots, and the World the Sea, our solicitude
For the future no more avails
Than that of every common Passenger, how
The ship is govern'd: Whence I conclude that best
Way for our quiets and rest,
Is to leave all our solicitude to the Gods,
To whom w'are dearer than w'are unto our selves,
They having a hundred times more tender care of us;
And this 'tis now makes me for the future no more solicitous,

Phi.
This Bellinda for our sex
Is high Philosophy, but the gods making
Every one Architect of their own fortunes; what
Should hinder you to day to make a fair
And noble one of yours? and but declare
You love Euphanes, as already you have declar'd,
If any one in th'Isle you love it shall be he.

Bell.
And so I do again, let that suffice,
And seek not Philena, I prithy, to advance
An unprofitable knowledge, Time will, but too soon,
Accelarat, and bring to light.

Phi.
Ay me! what says my frend?

Bell.
To explicate
My meaning clearer, too soon, for you I mean,
Are intrest by your Goodness and Gentleness
So far in my Affairs, you necessarily must
Or lose a friend, or Lover by't.

SCENE III.

Polydor, Philena, Bellinda.
Phi.
Now gentle Polydor,
What news from th'Temple?

Pol.
All there is in prepare
For th'great solemnity, and only fair
Bellindas presence expected; Into whose brest
May th'God of Love propitiously inspire
As many loving thoughts, as ever yet
Were crowded into any's brest,
Or amorous bosom had capacity to receive.

Bel.
Come Philena, let's away then.

Phi.
So sudden, and so unmov'd!
[aside.]
I suspect her more and more; to doubtful things
We run not with such hast and Resolution;
And if she be resolv'd, there's somewhat in't,
That she conceals it from me!

Pol.
'Tis happy Augury,
(No doubt) this hast of hers: Love has invisible
Attractions, and chains, which who follows, visibly
Perceives at last, this gentle force of his
Does but conduct them to their greater bliss.

SCENE IV.

Pamphilus looking after the Nymphs, Polydor.
Pam.
Such a Wench
Would I give a Limb for now, although I begg'd
On Crutches ever after, and were confiscated to
The Hospital,—I must needs have her; and this
Same fellow shall be my agent in the business,
D'e hear Sir? do you know
Any of these Nymphs, I pray?

Pol.
That I do Sir, very well,
What then?

Pam.
Why then I should desire
Your better acquaintance: For look ye Sir, suppose
A man should have a mind to one of them.

Pol.
A mind! What mind d'ye mean?

Pam.
Why a months mind or so.

Pol.
Why then Sir after a month, for ought I know
You may be rid on't—This is
(Aside
Some foolish stranger, rather deserving my
Pity than Anger.

Pam.
I hope you do not mock me Sir?

Pol.
Indeed Sir but I do.

Pam.
'tis well you confesse it, otherwise
I should be very angry—But since I see
Y'are a little dull; in plainer terms, I'd fain
Have about with one of them; d'ye apprehend me Sir?

Pol.
I think I shall do—But know you Sir where you are,
That you dare talk thus?

Pom.
Why, in Love's Dominions,
Where should I be?

Pol.
In Lusts rather, for Loves is not for you, if you
Be such an one, and so as Loves Minister,
Less you better know to temper your Toung, and mend
Your behaviour, I command you sir
Straight to depart the Isle.

Pam.
I hope you are not in earnest?

Pol.
Indeed sir but I am.

Pam.
Tis well you are so, for I
Don't love to be jested with I tell you plain.

Pol.
It seems you love to jest Sir, but
Look to't, and so farewell.

Exit
Pam.
Slud, this is the unreasonablest Fellow
I ever met withal in my life, a man
Cann't talk of a Wench but he is angry!
Temper your Tongue, and mend your behaviour,
When can you tell? Loves Minister d'ye call him,
If he teach no better doctrine, he scarce deserves
To be Minister to the Family of Love.

SCENE V.

Flamette with others, Pamphilus, &c.
Fla.
What? my Enamourist agen!
Sure then, being so well accompanied
I'll have some sport with him.

Pam.
Gods so, she here!
I'll away then.

Exiturus
Fla.
D'y hear d'y hear Sir? pray come forwards here,
And don't turn Sea-crab,—d'ye behold that Gentlemā?
He is one of the terriblest persecutors of yong nymphs,
H'as no mercy with him; And's so in love with himself,
He imagins all women are in love with him too;
Nay, will swear it, if they but look upon him once,—
Ther is nothing so cold, as to hear him talk of flames;
And 'twer enough to make a body forswear love, but
To see how he makes it;—nay, be n't asham'd
Of your own Commendations.

Pam.
Commendations d'ye call it? what are your Reproches pray?
If these be your Commendations?

[aside.]
Fla.
Then if he pretend
To Poetry (that's Riming with him) he wearies Phœbus
And all the Muses, to find him out similitudes
Of Rubies, Pearl, Gold, and Diamonds,
To compare with his Mistresses lips, teeth, eys, & hair:
If not, he his yet a more solemn fool in Prose,
With's speech imbroder'd, just like your Masquing cloaths,
With Oos and Aspirations, and never a word
Of sense in them,—see now how he fleers and grins,
The common put-off of the Fool and Impudent.

Pam.
To have an Anatomy Lecture
Read over me alive thus, there's no induring it.

Fla.
Nay, I'll promise ye
You shall endure it, and twenty times more to boot,
If I meet with you again.

Pam.
Y'ave met with me
Already, I thank you, but if I meet with you
Alone, I'll make y' indure somwhat too for this.

Fla.
Threaten'd too? nay then have at you with
Another trick; well Sir, having sufficiently try'd
Your patience, and finding it invincible,
I'll let you see now all the Nymphs here are not
So cruel as you imagin thē,—meet me but hereabouts
When Bellinda's gon to the temple, & I'll promise you
I'll bring you to the gentlest Nymph in Cypres,
So far from coy, you may do what you will with her,
She can deny you nothing nor say nay to any thing.

Pam.
I marry Sir, & such an one wou'd I meet withall,—
I knew I could not be so grossy deceiv'd
In the dispositions of the Nymphs minds here,
And Constitutions of their Bodies.

Fla.
Look you fail not now.

Pam.
Nay, if I fail at such Assignations,
Call me Eunuch.

Fla.
[Musick.]
And if I don't fit you, call me fool—but hark,
The pomp draws nigh, and the procession
From the Temple, dilating of it self,
And swelling with numerous multitudes, fils up all
The spacious and ample Plain.

SCENE VI.

Philostrates, Polydor, Flamette, Pamphilus, Chorus, Bellinda, Philena, &c.
Cho.
sings
Holy Love that do'st command
In Fire, Water, Air, and Land,
Gently thy commands inspire
To all in Land, Air, Water, Fire,

Philos.
[Enter Polydor]
Now is the Nymph come?

Pol.
Behold great Sir shee's here—
Know you the reason Philena why Euphanes
Is not present?

[aside]
Phile.
He misdoubts his temper,
And therefore wisely do's absent himself.

Pol.
I fear'd some other cause, & am glad he's so discreet—
Stand by there.

to Pamphilus in his way
Pam.
What are you there whiffling agen?
Goodly, Goodly, heer's more ado
With your under Officers

Philos.
Draw nigh then Nymph, and t'understand
What Sacred mysteries in every Ceremony
Involved lie, Know first
By this sprinkling's signified
he sprinkles her with his asperge
How minds ar to be purified
Er' they receive the Deity,
Who deigns in purified breasts alone
To make on earth its habitation:
Next for your Eys and Ears by which two ports
There often issues forth, and enters in
Much pollution and sin
(And by one sluce bootlesly we should drain
Out Objects, if by another we let them in again)
Veiling your Eys w'are to conduct you to
The sacred Cell, where far from noise
Of Tumult and the publick voice,
Only attending to holy orisons
An hower inclos'd y'are to remain:
No bosom (in fine) but wholy abstracted and
Sequestred from humane consortship,
Being capable of Divine—
So before (for compliment of all)
We charm you silent, If you have ought to say
Now freely spake

Bel.
Unto the Gods
I need not speak seeing they know my mind,
And to men I will not, seeing it is not fit
They know it yet—what should I say then, but
Behold th'intirely resign'd Bellinda here stands
Ready to obey your holy orders and
The Gods Divine commands.

Phil.
he waves his wand above her head.
he veils her.

The Song voce sola.
Philost.

Chorus
sings.
Holy Love, that dost command
In Fire, Water, Air, and Land,
Gently thy commands inspire,
To all in Land, Air, Water, Fire.

Exeunt omnes.
Manet Pamphilus, Flamette.
Pam.
Here's a do indeed!
I could have dispatcht her my way
In half this time, and with half these Ceremonies too;
But let her go, and—now if this Wench
Perform but her promise, shee'll redeem
Her self and this Isle from my ill opinion;—
And see just where she comes.

Flamette Enters.
Fla.
Oh! 'tis well you're here.
The Nymph I told you of—

Pam.
I, where is she? where is she? I long
To see her.

Fla.
You shall find
Sleeping in the wood there.

Pam.
Excellent opportunity!
And is she so kind say you?

Fla.
So kind (as I told you) and so far from coy,
You may do what you will with her—she can
Deny you nothing, nor say no to anything.

Pam.
And I'll put her too't presently

Fla.
Behold her there,
But look you don't disturb her.

Pam.
a Nymph sleeping discovered.
Ah pretty Rogue?
Have I caught you napping?
at these breaches he looks nearly on her.
She sleeps as snugg & soundly as
A sucking pigg—you can scarce hear her breath,—
Shee's handsom, exceeding handsom, I see that,
A very Goddess;—the gods make me thankfull,
Hey, hey,—how jocund shall I be?

[Capers.]
Fla.
Softly, softly.

Pam.
Oh! I'd forgot,—soft
he spruces up himself.
I think she stirs,—what a sloven was I
Not to put on a clean band to day?
No 'twas only the leaves,—I'll jogg her softly,—
But first I'll steal a kisse of her whilst she sleeps,—
Ha! how's this?

he discovers it to be a Puppet only.
Fla.
Ha, ha, ha.

Pam.
By this hand
A Maukin, a Mammet, a very Moppet with
No more life in't than a Scar-crow, or
The Puppet of a Tire womans stall.

Fla.
Ha ha ha,
Make much of your Mistresse Sir.

[Exit]
Pam.
D'you laugh too? shame on her how she has cozen'd me;
Is this your Gentle Nymph with a vengeance,
So far from coy you may do what you will with her,
She can deny you nothing, nor say no to any thing:
So me thinks indeed—hey
discovers the wood.
This is the Log now
And tother the stork, 'tis 'question which wou'd make
The better Mistresse—only this I may mock
While tother mocks me—farewell to your Ladyship.

throws it away and Exit.