University of Virginia Library

Scena, 7.

The Prince, Aurindo, Cleora.
See where he comes and the Prince with him,
I'le stand here and stretch mine ears upon
the tenters this once to over-hear them.

Aur.
It grieves me to see him
so sad and pensive, and I'de fain comfort him,
and try whether I can do that for him,
I have more need another shud do for me.—
If't may'nt appear too great a boldness
to ask your Highness, I shud desire to know,
why y'are so sad and pensive; sure my Lord
it can be nothing but love that makes you so,
the gentle companion of every gentle breast.

Prin.
Th'art in the right boy,
and since thou hast seen
so far into me; I'le make no difficulty
to declare unto thee all the rest,
and tell thee who 'tis I love too.

Aur.
God of desire,
now grant it may be I.

(Aside.
Prt.
Thou knowest the fair
Erminia I'm sure, she who as far outshines
all other beauties, as the Sun all other lights,
'tis she I love.

Aur.
Disloyal and perfidious,
can I hear this, and not hate him for it?—
and pray my Lord did you never love before?

Pri.
Yes a little at Argos once for fashion sake,
but that now is quite forgot,
and my heart by loves fire temper'd to
a delicate softness, has of late receiv'd
another impression has quite effaced that.

Aur.
Learn, learn all ye deceived, Virgins learn
what temper false mens hearts are made of, and
how y'are deceiv'd by them.—
And do's she give ear unto your suit?

Pr.
Oh no! but is as deaf unto't,
Ulysses to the Syrens cod be no more,
against whose charms
he obstinately stopt his ear,
“and none hear worse then those who will not hear.

Aur.
Heaven then is just I see,
and punishes him for's falshood unto me.

Pr.
But methinks thou art sad and pensive too,
now I consider it better, and by thy own
rule, I shud guess thou wert in love too.—

Au.
Who I? I can assure your Highness,
if I have any love 'tis onely love of you.

Pr.
Thanks gentle Boy,
I've alwayes experienc't thee
loving and trusty; and to repay thy trust,
I'le not onely make thee confident of
my love, but advocate too to plead for it
unto Erminia.

Aur.
Cruel office; and
is't not enough to be undone, but I
must be made instrument my self
of my own undoing? and if this be the reward
of my faith and love, how wod he reward
my hate and disloyalty?

Pr.
Thou shalt to Erminia then,
Althea will introduce thee,
give her but
this jewel from me, and hark thee.—

Speaking this, removing nearer Cleora.
Cle.
All I can
o're-hear of their discourse, is,
Aurindo is going to Erminia,
and Althea's to introduce him; 'tis
enough of intelligence for once,
this goes unto the Dutchess.

(Exit.
Prin.
Go, and make me ever
happy.

(Exit.
Aur.
And my self ever unhappy by it,
what shall I do? but what a question's that?
those who deliberate have some will of their own,
but I have none; with resolution great
as is my love then, I'le go and plead for him
against my self; and though my heart disavow
all my tongue sayes, yet it shall say it, or I'le
disavow it to be mine: no matter for
the pain I suffer, who truly love do know.
“no pleasure, no contentment is above
“the delightful pain we suffer for those we love.