University of Virginia Library

SCENE. I.

The Camp.
Enter King, Grillon, Guards.
King.
Is Paris yet so stubborn not to yeild?

Gril.
As stiff as Iron with Rebellion steel'd.
If you would make her bend to your desire,
Nothing must make her ductile, Sir, but fire.

King.
What's thy advice?

Gril.
To storm this waspish Town,
And with your Cannon beat her bulworks down;
Then burn 'em in their nests; till they expire
Such flaming breaths, as may augment the fire.

King.
But may not we yet force her to repent?

Gril.
Not whilst this Love is made in ev'ry Tent.
Great hopes! When two great Kings cannot subdue
One Woman!

King.
Why? She also worsted you.

Gril.
She did my Soul surprize, but not defeat;
But Souldier like, I made good my retreat.
I Lov'd as hotly as did he, or you;
Nay, faith, as much as both of you could do.
Yet I maintain'd my spirit at its hieght,
And cast her by, when I perceiv'd a slight.

King.
A slight, a favour is to what I try!
I see a Rival, more belov'd than I:
But she shall now Love me, or cast him by.
Wait her in Grillon.

Gril.
Sir, I am not inclin'd
There to pay service, where no Love I find;
But I'l send Larchant in, whose mean Soul moves
So low, as to help all men in their Loves.

[Exit. Grillon.
King.
Has all my Love and Courtship then prov'd vain?
If any thing, this may my Love restrain.
'Tis just, her scorns with scornings to requite,
And answer all her slightings with a slight.
And yet for all her scorns, I yet would Love,
Would she as scornful unto others prove.
But to be triumph'd o'r is such a thing,
That common Lovers scorn, much more a King.

Enter Larchant, Gabriel, Armida, Revol.
Gab.
Whilst you are justly fighting for your Crown,
Such mean acquests as I, you should not own.
You ev'n should blush; and then that blush should be
Asham'd it self, that it did blush for me.

King.
Let fortune, as she please, dispose of Crowns,
I'm more concern'd in Madam Gabriels frowns.
Madam, no time, no nor Resolves can ease,
Or calm my thoughts, which rage like winter Seas.
Love's Pinnace in this Voyage needs must fail,
'Twill be o'rborn soon with too large a sayl.
Hope sometimes fills a thought, like a swell'd wave,
Which breaks, and soon is to its self a Grave.

Gab.
You have before with storms of Love been tost;
Yet both the danger, and the thoughts are lost.

King.
My former Love was like a kindly heat,
Which healthful Bodies do by Nature get;
And tho sometimes unto a blaze it came,
Yet as Love fed, it also quencht the flame.
But this is wild-fire in my breast, I fear,
'Twill always burn, I feel it flaming here.
Yet this my greatest torment needs must prove,
Navar shares deepest in your thoughts and Love.

Enter Navar, Plessis.
Nav.
This is not fair! Kings should such arts decline.
I'l deal more plainly tho; this Lady's mine.

[Hands her.
King.
Is she your Queen?

Nav.
Nor is she Queen to you.

King.
But she's my Subject, and so are you too.

Nav.
Talk not of Subject, Sir; I am a King;
And that great Name does such resentments bring,
If I affronted be—

King.
What will you do?

Nav.
I'l stake the Lillies betwixt me and you.

King.
You venture boldly.

Navar.
Sir, I have a share;
You thought so too, when you sent for me here.

King.
Upbraid me not, Sir, with your aid, be gone:
I scorn your help, and can be King alone.

Nav.
Well, Sir, I go, but I will have mine own.
Who'l stop me?

[Hands his Sword.
Larch.
That must all.

[Steps in with his Guards.
Ples.
Pray, Sir, forbear;
[To Navar.
Your life's in danger else, his Guards are here.

Gab.
Dare not you me, Sir, with my self intrust?
You cannot sure believe I'l be unjust.
[To Navar.
O, Sir, if that you will not force forbear;
I'l end this Quarrel with my Dagger here.

[To the King.
Nav.
Sir, I have Guards too, and can show you sport:
You will not murder me too in your Court?

King.
'Tis in your choice. But, Sir, she shall not go.
I'm King; and will not be control'd by you.

Nav.
Take notice, Sir, I leave her to your trust;
I can be friendly, if you can be just.

[Exit. Navar, Plessis.
Rev.
Think of the ruin that may fall to France,
If any diff'rence 'twixt you two should chance.
Tho she be ne'r so fair, she cannot prove
Worthy your anger, tho she may you love.

King.
Experienc'd Judges only should condemn;
And none but Lovers should consult this Theme.
Your Merits, Madam, you should not confine;
She off'ring to go.
Since Saints at their Adorers ne'r repine:
The greater number cellebrates the shrine.
Please then his services and mine to prove,
And Crown his hopes who shows the greatest Love.
[Exit. Gabriel and Armida.
Larchant, attend her to the Town with care;
Wait on her humbly, strictly guard her there;
Mayn and the League less than Navar I fear.

[Exeunt.