University of Virginia Library

Scena, 2.

Althea to them, then Erminia, Clinias, Cleobulo.
Alt.
How Amynter! my Lords inseparable
companion & bosom friend! O madam, madam,
who's here d'ye think?

Enter Erminia, Clinias, Cleobulo after.
Er.
Ha, Amynter! was it
instinct or prophesie in thee, to say my Lord
was come?

Alt.
I know not, I'm sure I meant it for a lye;
and if it shud prove true now, what shud I say,
but I've good luck with lying.

Er.
Amynter, to me who never joy'd
since Cleander went, 'tis twylight
of joy to see you;
and such a promise of seeing Cleander here,
as is Aurora of seeing the day:
and where is he, I see him not?

Am.
Madam, he sends you
all health and happiness,
with the assurance he'l shortly be here.

Er.
Shortly! how shortly? all time
seems too long,
an hour a day, a day a year,
a week an age, until I see him; and
there is no health nor happiness for me
without him.

Clea.
Dissembler.

(Aside.
Am.
Mean time by these
he kisses your fair hands, and by me presents
you with this Ethiope here, Embleme of his
affection, whose colour can never change.

Er.
And I'le keep him as embleme of mine,
what qualities has he?

Am.
A more trusty servant
no where lives then he, more valiant, nor more
intelligent, although both deaf and dumb.

Er.
What means he now?
you understand his signs.

Am.
With all humility he dedicates
himself and service t'ye,
and vows perpetual faith.

He bows, kisses his hands, and lifts them up to heaven.
Er.
And now!

Am.
He solemnly protests
he'l fight and dye for you.

He draws his sword, in action of fighting, then sets it to his breast.
Er.
A goodly personage,—
but let me read my Letters,

Alt.
Hum! deaf and dumb!
pretty qualities to sit in the chimney corner:
let's see for's dumbness, I like that well enough,
he wo'nt tell tales; and for his deafness too,
'tis no great matter, men naturally understand
what women wod have them do;
were he blinde too,
he'd make the better husband, onely I like not
his colour: But for that all men are black
in the dark, and I may chance to try him one
of these nights.

Cli.
And art not thou glad now
my Lord is coming home?

Cleo.
Why shud we be glad fool? we
shall be onely Clinias and Cleobulo,
a couple of poor slaves still; but what a fellow
servant has he sent us here? both deaf & dumb!
what shall we do with him?

Cli.
Why, we'l be sure
to put all th'work of the house upon him, let
him put it off again as well as he can;
best is we may use him as we list,
he can't complain of us.

Cleo.
But is he not
too gallant to work do'st think?

Cli.
We'l make him do it,
for all his Gallantry.

Cle.
D'ye think he'l suffer it?
he seems a sturdy piece.

Cli.
We'l make him suffer it too,
for all his sturdiness, I'le warrant you.

Cleo.
Content then

Er.
How's this? he writes me here,
he'd have me quit my sadness and solitude,
and be more free and courtly. If this be his
pleasure, he has strangely chang'd his minde;
but I am all obedience, and am
not to dispute but to obey his will:
and how has he his health well?

Am.
Passing well.
all his malady is onely want of you.

Er.
And why is he not his own Physician then?
no wounds I hope?

Am.
None dangerous, all he had
are now converted to honourable scars.

Er.
But that I fear to trouble you with my questions,
I shud never cease questioning you.

Alt.
Madam the Duke.

Cleo.
Now, now.