University of Virginia Library

Scena, 2.

A Song, after which the Dutchess appears above in her Window, and spies Aurindo sleeping.
Duch.
There there he sleeps, and there do's take
his rest, for whom I restlesly do wake;
Such was Narcissus, onely this more wise,
not to behold himself in mirrour of
that liquid Christal Fountain, shuts his eyes.
Sleep, sleep fair youth, for so, I do not see
those murdering eyes, that kil me with their sight
yet wake, wake too, for whilst you sleep you take
from me the delight I have in seeing them,
and your repose is my tormenting; but that
which most of all torments me, is the strife
betwixt desire and shame to let him know
my love, like struggling twins tearing the womb
that bears them:
nor do I know yet whether's the greater pain,
either to lose my love, or lose my shame,—
I must finde out some way to secure both.
Aurindo, Aurindo.

Aur.
Ha! who calls?

Duc.
'Tis I.

Au.
The Dutchess! your pleasure Madam?

Duc.
Look
in that same Fountain, see if thou canst finde
the portrait there of one I dearly love.

Au.
I see nothing Madam.

Du.
Thou canst not be so blinde;
or as thou resemblest Cupid the god of Love
in all things else, thou art ambitious
perhaps to resemble him in blindness too;
look look well, I see it hither to.

Au.
I see nothing but my self.

Duc.
And is that nothing Fool?
I must come down my self I see,
or thou wilt never finde it.

Au.
Now
I know what portrait 'tis she means, but 'tis
not fit she know it, to save her shame;
from which if you but take away restraint
of modesty once, all other restraints are vain:
is there no end? no mean
of thy persecution love? but I must be
thus persecuted both actively and passively,
thy Quiver and Arrows both?