FIDELIO

W Hat Snarl, my deer Democritus, how is't? You are a Courtier grown, I hear. I hope you do not share in their desires. Hold there, you'll run your self out of breath else: And now resolve me of the Lord Philautus: Is all that true that is reported of him? My sense will note be able to endure him. Is none his friend to tell him of his faults? Oh they are still in fashion: in them A wry neck is a comely president: Disorder, disagreement in their lives And manners is thought regular, their actions Are still authentic, if it be received; To be illiterate, is a point of state. But the worst thing which I dislike in him, Which he does more by words then Actium: He gives out that the Ladies dote upon him, And that he can command them at his pleasure, And swears, there's scarce and honest woman. How. You are deceived, There are a thousand chaste. 'Tis ill To be incredulous, when charity Exacts your belief: but let that pass: What will you say, if I find out a means To cure him of his folly? Nay, I'll do it: I'll make him in love, and do it. Suspend your judgement, till I confirm you. What is he? We all do wish, Your beauty, or your vanity were less. For by this means, that which would else commend you, Proves your disgrace, you take the edge of praise off, Is endue to you, by too much whetting it. You are the Centre of all women's love then. It seems that you are of opinion, There is no text of womankind so holy, But may be corrupted, though a Deity. But I think otherwise; and can justify it. What if I bring you now unto a beauty As glorious as the Sun, but in desire Cold, as the middle Region of the air, And free from all reflection of lust? You shall converse with her, and she shall feed Your sense with such discursive influence, And a voice sweeter than the Lydian tunes Jove would bow down his ear to, yet her blood Shall run as cold as Iulips through her veins: The springtide of her youth, shall swell with more Delights, then there be drops in April, yet she As chased as Salmacis, amid the streams. Her eye shall sparkle Like the Diamond, And be as pure, her kisses soft and melting, As the South wind; but undefiled as heaven. And you shall feel the Elemental fire Of her unspotted love, and grieve, and swear She is so celestial, and Divine a creature, Thats only hight in her effect, not nature. I'll bring you to her. This Lady sister and M S ris. Yet both unknown to him, some few years since, Her father jealous of my love, because I was a Gentleman of no great fortune, Sent her away, and charged her by and oath, To marry none, till seven years were expired, Six parts of which are gone, yet she remains Constant to what she promised, though his death, Has partly quit her: To live in her sighed, And not enjoy her, is a heavenly torment, But unsufferable, I must live apart, Till the prefixed minute be expired. In the mean time, I'll work by some good means, To win his love, and draw him from his folly. But first by him, I'll try her constancy. I must prepare her for his entertainment, Because she will admit no Company, Nor will be known to any, but my self. Come Sir, let's go, by that which shall ensue, You shall affirm, what I relate, is true. IS there no means to absolve you of your oath? The blame on me, let the bright day no longer nvy the darkness, that conceals such beauty: You are no Votary, and yet force your youth To such a strict and solitary life, Which others bound by vow, cannot perform. I wonder at the temper of your blood, So differing from your Sex, when your old women Do burn with lustful thoughts, as with a Fever, Yet you go on, in the old track of virtue, Now overgrown with seeds of vice. But I must begone favour at your hands, And suffer no repulse. It may offend you. Then know that I have boasted of your beauty. Nay more, exposed thy virtues to the trial. And you must use all art for his content, With Music, Songs, and dancing, such as are The stirrers of hight appetites. Mistake me not, the difference betwixt the Poles Is not so great, as betwixt me, and baseness: Nor is't a sinister intent to make Your favours stale, and common as a drug, Which are so deer to me, that both the Judies Are not of equal valve to engross, But for a noble and peculiar end. It's true. Then if you please to grant relief To my desires, take them in brief; I would have you first express All the skill that comeliness Can invent, to make you seem Fair, and pleasant, as loves Queen. When she Anchises came to kiss On the Banks of Simois. Call the graces, and suborn Them thy beauty to adorn, Thy face, the table where love writes A thousand stories of delights: Make it all over, smooth and plain, But see you shadow it with disdain. Weave a net out of thy hair, A subtle net, that may ensnare Such found souls as shall aspire To come near the holy fire Of thine eyes, which were of late, By Cupid's torch illuminate. Use all the delusive art That may captivate his heart. I'll have him punished. He casts aspersions of disloyalty, On all your sex, and you shall vindicate them When he is plunged in love irrevocable, As conquered by thy all subduing look, Then you shall bind him to conditions, As I shall first instruct you, shall redeem Him from his folly, and next clear your honour. I have with much entreaty gained your admittance I do not use the profession. She is as I told you: But hark you, Sir, You needs not be known who you are. YOu see that I have brought you to the treasure, And the rich garden of hesperides: If you can charm those ever-watchful eyes That keep the tree, then you may pull the fruit, And after glory in the spoil of honour. I will leave you. And what have you observed, since you came hither? So Sir. And what of those? I am engaged to bring a Lord to see you. My name's Fidelio. Now I hope, sweet Lady, The time has put a perjod to your vow. You have been always privy to my counsel Ask me no questions now, I shall resolve you When we come in. But when you know the Author of your freedom, You'll thank her more. I believe you. Your sister.