 | The Royal Merchant |  |
SCENE VI.
Changes to the Wood.Enter Jaculin.
Jac.
I think I cannot err, what borrow'd dress
Can hide my Hubert from me? How I wish
Yet fear to be resolv'd—He went this way—
Shall I adventure? Oh this dread suspense,
How does it load my heart! While to the woods,
The streams, and senseless air I sigh my sorrows,
And vainly seek relief.
AIR.Can hide my Hubert from me? How I wish
Yet fear to be resolv'd—He went this way—
Shall I adventure? Oh this dread suspense,
How does it load my heart! While to the woods,
The streams, and senseless air I sigh my sorrows,
And vainly seek relief.
The softest breeze, the water's gentlest flow,
Re-murmur sigh for sigh, and echo woe for woe.
[Jaculin retires.
Re-murmur sigh for sigh, and echo woe for woe.
39
Hub.
I have lock'd up Hempskirke close enough from gadding
In an old oak, and set watch over him.
My schemes are almost ripe; dearly shall he,
And treacherous Wolfort, rue their double falshood,
If smiling fortune favours my design.
Now for my love—this wench is surely she;
If thro' her means I can but make discovery—
Jaculin advances.
She follows me—Come hither, pretty maid.
Jac.
No, no, you'll kiss.
Hub.
So I will.
Jac.
'Deed! la!
How will you kiss me, pray you?
Hub.
Thus—soft as my love's lips.
Jac.
Oh!
Hub.
What's your father's name?
Jac.
He's gone to Heaven.
Hnb.
Is it not Gerrard, sweet?
Jac.
I'll stay no longer;
My mother's an old woman, and my brother
Was drown'd at sea with catching cockles.
Hub.
Stay!
Jac.
How my heart melts within me at his voice!
Shou'd I disclose myself? wer't best? O love!
[Aside.
Hub.
'Tis surely she. Pray let me touch your hand, sweet.
Jac.
No, no, you'll bite it.
Hub.
Sure I should know that ring.
[Aside.
Jac.
I had forgot my ring.
Oh Hubert! Hubert!
[Aside.
Hub.
Methought she named me.
[Aside.
Do you know me, chick?
40
No sure, I never saw you—
Oh! what a joy he brings me!—
[Aside.
I must be married to-morrow to a capper.
Hub.
Must you, my sweet? and does the capper love you?
Jac.
Yes, yes, he'll give me pye, and look in my eyes thus.
'Tis he, 'tis my dear love—Oh happy fortune!
[Aside.
Hub.
How fain she would conceal herself, yet cannot.
I'll try to humour her in this her wildness.
[Aside.
To make my hopes more perfect, will you love me,
And leave that man? I'll wait you thro' the vale,
And make you dainty nosegays.
Jac.
And where will you put 'em?
Hub.
Here in thy bosom, sweet, and make a crown
Of lillies for thy head.
Jac.
And will you love me? Deed! la!
Hub.
With all my heart.
Jac.
Call me to-morrow then,
We'll have brave cheer, and go to church together.
AIR.
The Words from Shakespear's Poems.
Jac.
Hub.
Jac.
Hub.
Jac.
Hub.
Jac.
The Words from Shakespear's Poems.
Jac.
Come live with me, and be my love,
And we will all the pleasures prove
That hill and valley, dale and field,
And all the craggy mountains yield.
And we will all the pleasures prove
That hill and valley, dale and field,
And all the craggy mountains yield.
Hub.
A belt of straw, and ivy buds,
With coral clasps, and amber studs,
And ev'ry flower that scents the grove
Shall yield its sweets to deck my love.
With coral clasps, and amber studs,
And ev'ry flower that scents the grove
Shall yield its sweets to deck my love.
Jac.
At noontide blaze our seat shall be
Over some river in a tree,
Where silver sands and pebbles sing
Eternal ditties to the spring.
Over some river in a tree,
Where silver sands and pebbles sing
Eternal ditties to the spring.
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In bowers of laurel trimly dight
Will we outwear the silent night,
While Flora busy is to spread
Her richest treasure o'er our bed.
Will we outwear the silent night,
While Flora busy is to spread
Her richest treasure o'er our bed.
Jac.
If these delights thy mind can move,
Then live with me, and be my love.
Then live with me, and be my love.
Hub.
Yes, these delights my mind will move
I'll live with thee and be thy love.
I'll live with thee and be thy love.
Give you good even, Sir,
Hub.
One word more, fairest;
Did you e'er know a maid call'd Jaculin?
Jac.
Oh, I'm discover'd!
[Aside.
Hub.
'Tis she—now I'm certain
[Aside.
They are all here—Turn, turn thee, lovely maid,
Thy Hubert speaks to thee.
Jac.
Alas, I fear—
Why thus disguis'd?
Hub.
For justice and for love;
Thou must assist the means—
As we pass on, I'll tell thee all my purpose.
Jac.
And may I trust thee?
Hub.
As thine own soul.
Jac.
Still true?
Hub.
And will remain so,
Heaven scorn me else!
AIR and DUET.
Jac.
Long in sorrow's shade I sat,
Drooping like the chill-nipt flower,
Let not then the worm deceit,
This my new-blown hope devour.
Drooping like the chill-nipt flower,
Let not then the worm deceit,
This my new-blown hope devour.
Hub.
Fear no more the wintry blast,
Bleak affliction's storm is past;
Joy his cheering warmth displays,
Haste, and greet the welcome rays.
Bleak affliction's storm is past;
Joy his cheering warmth displays,
Haste, and greet the welcome rays.
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Once again in thee appears
The promise of my brighter years.
The promise of my brighter years.
Hub.
As I true and constant prove,
So may I be rich in love!
So may I be rich in love!
DUET.
Jac.
True and constant ever prove
So shall I be rich in love.
So shall I be rich in love.
Hub.
As I true and constant prove,
So may I be rich in love!
So may I be rich in love!
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