University of Virginia Library

Scena, 3.

Althea, Aurindo.
What is't onely she! this is
Althea Erminia's woman, who I know
not for what sins of mine, unless for loving
too much, is fearfully in love with me;
deliver me from her, for love in aged veins,
as fire in dry timber, burns always most terribly.
I'd fain avoid her, she persecutes me worse
then frosts do flowers, they blast, or Ivy, trees,
they kill, with their embraces!

Alt.
Gentle Aurindo!
happily met, 'tis so long since I saw you last
I might well expect the courtesie of a salute
from you.

Aur.
Oh—I were discourteous else:
good Althea I'm glad to see you well.

Alt.
What no more! and that so coldly too.

Aur.
What wod you have?
I know no other salutes.

Alt.
You are not so ignorant as you'd seem,
I'm sure, to know no better what salutes
belongs to a Gentlewoman.

Aur.
You would not have me make
you a curtsy wod you? that's your womans salute,
for mens I know no other.

Alt.
Pitty his ignorance;
I'le teach you if you know not; fie, where
have you been bred I wonder!
y'are so bashful! I must imbolden you:
this bashfulness in you,
shews worse then impudence in woman;
how nice and coy he is? t'will cost
me more pains and labour I fear to train him up
to womens businesses, then to break
a wilde unruly Colt unto the mannage:
come, come, pray sit down.

Au.
Pardon me, I'm in haste and cannot stay,

Al.
Always in haste! but tarry a little and Ile
tell you all my Ladies secrets.

Au.
I'm not curious.

Alt.
Look you what's here—nor liquorish neither?
h'as nothing of the Page in him.

Aur.
Pray let me go,
you have not seen my Lord the Prince?

Alt.
Yes but
I have though.

Aur.
And where I pray?

Alt.
Where you'r not like
to see him, let that suffice.

Aur.
Nay, if you can tell me
no more news of him, I must go seek out those
that can, and so farewell.

Exit.
Alt.
Gone? well,
I pitty him he's such a backward things,
and pitty the Prince who's as forward on tother side;
and one of these sighing lovers who sigh & sigh
like dry pumps, or broken-winded bellows,
for their Mistresses;
and to hear them, you would never wonder
at Lapland witches selling winds so cheap,
and imbrakt (as he is) in my Lady love;
I've sold him as much as comes to a little hope,
send him a good voyage of it—
but see my Lady, pray heaven
my plot take, I've venter'd hard
to give the Prince entrance, and opportunity
to speak with her.