 | Love's Dominion |  |
38
SCENE IV.
Philostrates, Polydor, Bellinda, Philena, to them, &c.Philos.
So now produce her.
Pol.
Behold great Sir she's here.
Bellinda veiled lead by Philena, & presented by Polydor
Phila.
If there be any Sympathy
In Lovers hearts, 'tis she.
Philos.
Draw nigh then Nymph, and laying your hands
Upon this sacred Volume here,
Where on the skins of Doves and Swans
Love's 'holy Laws recorded are,
Swear; But swear truly, on penalty of no lesse
Than forfeiture of life if you transgresse:
Unveil her there.
Phila.
They unveil her and she suddenly casts her eyes aside towards the place where Euphanes and Philander stand.
Ha, 'tis she! ye Gods 'tis she,
But Oh my jealousie, tell me some one
Skilfull in decyphering Love's Character,
Whether that glance the superscription of
An amorous heart was directed to him or me.
Eup.
What ails this stranger!
Pol.
What means these sudden starts of hers.
And change of colour.
39
Veil her presently again, since she so ill
Governs her eys, th'are straying still—
They veil her again.
Fie Nymph be more Religious-wise
And restrain those wandring eys,
Who in objects takes delight,
Brings distraction with the sight,
In their breasts do never find
A holy recollected mind—
Now approach her nearer.
Eup.
Now I shall know my destiny,
And whether I'm to live or die.
Phila.
Now Philander thou shalt know
Whether she be true or no.
Phile.
Now Philena thou shalt soon
Proove her faith, and know thy doom,
Philos.
(waves his wand
Proceed and swear then, thus I uncharm thy Tongue.
Bel.
Then by Love's sacred Deity I swear,
I love one here.
Philos.
with the waving of his wand he charms her silent again.
Enough.
Eup.
O blest voice which heavenly minds applaud
With their celestial wings;
Oh me most happy!
Philan.
And most unhappy I.
40
Did I not tel you it was impossible
But she shou'd Love. O day ever to be
Recorded in the Calendar of Love,
For holy and festival; Which never may
Oblivion, that like a torrent rouls
All things along with't to the Lethean Lake,
Abolish the happy memory of.
Phile.
Oh the Dissembler, how she as deceiv'd me!
Philost.
Conduct her agen now to the sacred cell,
Where yet an hour she's to remain,
E'r we dissolve our magick spell;
And then with indicible joy we are again to produce her,
And solemnly deliver her for ever to repose
In's dear imbraces she has for Lover chose.
Where yet an hour she's to remain,
E'r we dissolve our magick spell;
And then with indicible joy we are again to produce her,
And solemnly deliver her for ever to repose
In's dear imbraces she has for Lover chose.
Chorus
sings.
[as she goes out.]
Prais'd be Love, that does command
In Fire, Water, Air, and Land,
And so gently does inspire
All in Land, Air, Water, Fire.
Manent Philena, Pamphilus, Flamette.
Pam.
I should laugh now, if I were he she lov'd,
As who knows but she may be enamoured
Of my person, as I of hers, there's nothing impossible.
Phile.
Well, for her sake I'll ne'r trust Stranger more.
Pam.
Fair Nymph, I should desire
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't might not be troublesom.
Fla.
Troublesom? who doubts it? why
Th'art nothing else but trouble.
Phile.
Fie Flamette, this is discourteous,
And to a stranger too!
Pam.
She tels you true,—pray be gone,
And don't trouble us,—you see there are some will accept
Of my Courtesie now, though you won't
he leads Philena out
Fla.
Neither wou'd she, did she know thee as well as I,
But let her go, when th'ast abus'd her curtesy,
As thou dost others, to molestation, she'll know thee better.
But this sudden turn of Bellinda's affection
Is wondrous strange!
| Love's Dominion | |