Beaumont and Fletcher's Works. Volume 9. Beaumont Francis

      Alb. Ye are still more welcome;

      For good friends in afflictions give good Councels.

      Pray then proceed.

      Amin. Pray eat first, ye shew faint;

      Here's Wine to refresh ye too.

      Alb. I thank ye dear.

      Amin. Drink again.

      Alb. Here's to our loves.

      How, turn and weep!

      Pray pledge it: this happiness we have yet left,

      Our hearts are free. Not pledge it? Why?

      And though beneath the Axe this health were holy,

      Why do ye weep thus?

      Amin. I come to woo ye.

      Alb. To woo me Sweet? I am woo'd and won already,

      You know I am yours. This pretty way becomes ye.

      But you would deceive my sorrows; that's your intent.

      Amin. I would I could, I should not weep, but smile.

      Do ye like your Meat and Wine?

      Alb. Like it?

      Amin. Do you like your liberty?

      Alb. All these I well may like.

      Amin. Then pray like her that sent 'em.

      Do ye like wealth, and most unequal'd beauty?

      Alb. Peace, indeed you'l make me angry.

      Amin. Would I were dead that ask it,

      Then ye might freely like, and I forgive ye.

      Alb. What like, and who? add not more misery

      To a man that's fruitful in afflictions.

      Who is't you would have me like?

      Who sent these comforts?

      Amin. I must tell.

      Alb. Be bold.

      Amin. But be you temperate.

      If you be bold I die. The young fair Virgin;

      (Sorrow hath made me old.) O hearken,

      And wisely hark, the Governess daughter:

      That Star that strikes this Island full of wonder,

      That blooming sweetness.

      Alb. What of her?

      Amin. She sent it: and with it,

      It must be out, she dotes on ye,

      And must enjoy ye: else no joy must find ye.

      Alb. And have you the patience to deliver this?

      Amin. A sister may say much, and modestly.

      Alb. A sister?

      Amin. Yes, that name undid ye;

      Undid us both: had ye nam'd Wife, she had fear'd ye;

      And fear'd the sin she follow'd; She had shun'd, yea

      Her Virgin modesty had not touch'd at ye.

      But thinking you were free, hath kindled a fire,

      I fear will hardly be extinguisht.

      Alb. Indeed I played the fool.

      Amin. O my best Sir, take heed,

      Take heed of lies. Truth, though it trouble some minds,

      Some wicked minds, that are both dark and dangerous:

      Yet it preserves it self, comes off pure, innocent,

      And like the Sun, though never so eclips'd,

      Must break in glory. O Sir, lie no more.

      Alb. Ye have read me a fair Lecture,

      And put a spell upon my tongue for fayning.

      But how will you counsel now?

      Amin. Ye must study to forget me.

      Alb. How?

      Amin. Be patient.

      Be wise and patient, it conce[r]ns ye highly.

      Can ye lay by our loves? But why should I doubt it?

      Ye are a man, and man may shift affections,

      'Tis held no sin. To come to the point,

      Ye must lose me; many and mighty reasons.

      Alb. Hear me Aminta,

      Have you a man that loves you too, that feeds ye,

      That sends ye liberty? Has this great Governess

      A noble son too, young, and apt to catch ye?

      Am I, because I am in bonds, and miserable,

      My health decay'd, my youth and strength half blasted,

      My fortune like my waining self, for this despis'd?

      Am I for this forsaken? a new love chosen,

      And my affections, like my fortunes, wanderers?

      Take heed of lying, you that chid me for it;

      And shew'd how deep a sin it was, and dangerous.

      Take heed, your self, you swore you lov'd me dearly;

      No few, nor little oathes you swore Aminta,

      Those seal'd with no small faith, I then assur'd my self.

      O seek no new wayes to cozen truth.

      Amin. I do not.

      By love it self I love thee,

      And ever must, nor can all deaths dissolve it.

      Alb. Why do you urge me thus then?

      Amin. For your safety,

      To preserve your life.

      Alb. My life, I do confess, is hers,

      She gives it,

      And let her take it back, I yield it.

      My loves intirely thine, none shall touch at it;

      None, my Aminta, none.

      Amin. Ye have made me happy,

      And now I know ye are mine. Fortune, I scorn thee.

      Goe to your rest, and I'll sit by ye;

      Whilst I have time I'll be your mate, and comfort ye,

      For only I am trusted: you shall want nothing,

      Not a liberty that I can steal ye.

      Alb. May we not celebrate our loves Aminta?

      And where our wishes cannot meet.

      Amin. You are wanton,

      But with cold kisses I'll allay that fever;

      Look for no more, and that in private too.

      Believe me, I shall blush else.

      But, let's consider, we are both lost else.

      Alb. Let's in, and prevent fate.