SABELLI

The general voice Divulges so ith'City; and the Duke Has sent and order which commands you forth I'th morning to your trial: my deer Lord I hope the service you have done the State Abroad, will here at home secure your life From the Laws violent Rigour. My noble Lord Have I so often followed you, when death Attended on each step, when every hurt That scared your noble body, I have wished Imprinted on my flesh, and with my tears, Even drowned the purple deluge of your wounds, That as my truth and loyalties reward, I must be turned a way unkindly, when My last and just est service might declare My zeal to you my master; O sir, You more afflict my innocence with these words, Then if sad truth had brought me the report Of my own mother's funeral, and should you Enforce me leave you, the succeeding care, And labour of my life should be consumed In a perpetual weeping. Beside my Lord, When your blessed soul does on immortal wings Arrive at heaven who shall attend it there, the Saints and Angels will esteem themselves Worthy to be your fellows, while my poor And humble Ghost would reckon it a bliss To wait on you, as carefully as when We lived on earth together, deer my Lord, Let me die with you, death and I have been Play-fellows these many years, he'l only bring me To rest as pleasing to my sense as sleep After a tedious watching. Nay then 'tis time for Me thewretched'st soul on earth to take My lasting farewell of you; all the joys Of blessed eternity in stead of my Desertless service; wait upon your life; You never shall view your boy again, for sure if your Light be extinguished, my weak flame Cannot continue burning; give me licence To kiss your honoured hand, and to let fallen A parting drop or two: and now farewell For ever noble Lord; that grief appears most true, That's writ in blood as well as tears. My honoured Lord, The charity I owe my native country, That in the ruin of this brave young man, Would suffer infinitely, has forced us strive With early zeal first to presentour duties For his redemption, among ten thousand Virgins That would attempt it, and my true affection Has won this favour from my fellows, that To me they yield their interest, which I claim As my desired prerogative. O my Lord, I did expect this answer, my poor worth Cannot deserve your valve; yet there is A constant purity in my thoughts, that intend you So much of Bliss, that had your safety no Dependence on my suit, it would be deemed Most cruel to contemn me, I have loved you These many years; wished you as many glories As I have numbered days, have vowed I never Will marry any man, but your blessed self my Lord, Should you neglect the justness of my request, Beside the danger waiting on your life, A thousand Virgins, whose unspotted prayers Like hosts of guardian Angels, would have born You on their wings to heaven, will for my sake Convert their zeal to curses, and in tears Of anguish drown your memory. Well my Lord, Since I'm unworthy to enjoy in life Your fair society, my soul shall hast To wait on you to death, there is no bliss Without your presence, since you will not have Mercy on your own life, by your example I'll be as harsh to mine, I'll go Before you to the other world, And be your loved Ghosts Harbinger. Let no hand presume to seize me, For the meanest touch that shall Endeavour to prevent my will Shall urge my speedier ruin: Good my Lord, Shall I have answer? I would fain be going On my long journey. Alas my Lord, Let me participate your cause of sorrow, And be a willing partner in your grief, Which Like a violent Current that overflows The neighbouring fields and meadows in its rage, Into two streams divided, smoothly runs, Kissing with calm lips the imprisoning banks, Would, though too mighty for you, when my soul Should vent a partly of it, be mild, and pass Away without disturbance of your peace, Which to procure I would even burst my heart With sighs devoted to your quiet, and Become a loving fountain by my tears I shed without intermission. I hope Madam, my innocence has gi'n you no offence, That you refuse me, being a stranger to you, The Ceremonious wishes, which pertain To new made Brides, and only do confer them Upon my Lord. My Lord I owe Such and obedient duty to your peace, That though my heart does wish to wait on yours For ever; since I see betwixt this Lady And you such firm apparences of love, If the law please to allow it, I resign My interest to her and be fortunate To see you two live happy. Sir resume your ancient quiet, the formal Love shall not oppose your peace, I'll disannul The marriage easily, and most noble Lord Pardon your humble servant. 'Twas the zeal I ought in duty to my Mrs. life, Hath put me on the attempt, which if he pardon, I'm fully satisfied.