University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

The Palace.
Enter Sapritius and Eumillius meeting.
Sap.
Eumillius,
May Rome's Guardian Gods direct thee.

Eum.
If you mean well, my Lord,
Eumillius does return the friendly Wish.

Sap.
If I mean well?
When did I ever mean thee otherwise?

Eum.
I am in haste, and beg your Lordship's Pardon.

Sap.
Stay, hear me yet a Word.

Eum.
Be brief.

Sap.
As Thought.
Tell me, Eumillius, how the Princess does;
Say how she rested; you can tell I know,
Such youthful amorous Souls as you're possest with
Urges you, ere you're able to write Man,
Or the soft callow Down can shade your Face
From boyish Looks,
To think on nought but Women,
And watch each single Smile or am'rous Glance;
Besides Intelligencers, that like Flies,
Observe unseen a Princess' closest Actions,
And buz their Knowledge to your Ears in Whispers.

Eum.
She rested ill, it seems.

Sap.
Double your Courtesie.
How does my Son?

Eum.
Ill, well, worse, better,
I can't tell how he does.

Sap.
Why what an Answer's this? but one Word more;
When does the Princess take him to her Bed?

Eum.
I know not.

Sap.
That's very strange,
Since thou'rt the Manuscript where he writes his Secrets.
Prethee Eumillius, say.

Eum.
I said before, my Lord, I did not know.
[Exit Eum.

Sap.
Either the young ill-manner'd Clown is mad,
Or, what is much the same, in Love;
Deeply in Love, up to the Head and Ears:
And yet my Mind suggests there's something more
Than I'm acquainted with: I'll fathom it,
And may be stop its Progress. Let me see,
'Tis told me he's in Love with Dorothea,
That lifeless Image of what Woman should be,
That dries up all her ruddy gay Complexion
In Fasting, Penance, Prayer and Meditation,
And 'tis supposed, in Mockery of our Gods:
Should she once blast the Soul of Antony,
By Pluto's self, with such unheard of Tortures
I'd Sacrifice her Body to the Gods,
That ev'n the Damn'd should start at the Invention,
And count their Torments an Elisium to 'em.

[Exit.