PHILAUTUS

Bring them all three before me: If I surprise them not all at first dash, If they fallen not together by the ears for me, Nay, if they run not mad, and follow me, As if they were drunk with a love potion, Near trust a Prognosticator again. ARdelio, we are now alone, come tell me Truly, how does the vulgar voice pass on me. And it's all true they say. Such is the force of beauty, there is nothing Can please without it, and who ever has it, As there be few, is adjudged happy in it. He that excels in valour, wit, or honour, He that is rich, or virtuous, may be envied, But love is the reward of beauty; no object Surprises more the eye, all that delights us, We ascribe beauty to it. Let me embrace my better Genius. It's and Art Will make thee thrive; will she be coy enough? To tell you true, I take a more delight In the perplexity of wooing them, Then the enjoying. If she be otherwise than I conceive. A pox on the Augury. Prithee let me alone with her. Lady, my preface is to know your name. I may be happy in you. I have a sister somewhere of that name, That in her youth did promise such a feature, And Hope's of future excellence: she had A beauty mixed with majesty, would draw From the beholders, love, and reverence. And I do ill me thinks, with unchaste thoughts To sin against her memory: this task Would I were rid of; but I'll venture. Lady, You are not blind, I conceive. Then I hope you can Take notice of a Gentleman's good parts, Without a Periphrasis. A figure, Needless at this time to explain my deserts, So easy and apparent to be seen. 'Tis too much labour, 'twere a task would dull The edge of Rhetoric, to describe them rightly; Nor would I have them dwell upon your tongue, But fixed in your thoughts, there let them move Till they meet in conjunct: on with your love; Nature would boast so sweet a sympathy: No, I have more; But love is slow to dictate to my vows: And yet those sacred and divine impulsions, Strike truer then my heart, and by his power That has inflamed me, here I swear I love you. Nay now you wrong My true intent. That you should speak the Like, And with the same affection. I know not how You may interpret it, but sure the law, And the command of nature, is no baseness, A thing that love himself has dignified, And in his rapes confessed the God of love The greater of the two, who ̄ Kings have stooped to, We are allowed to enjoy some stolen delights, So we be secret in't; for it's set down By such as in this art have skilful been. with are not forbid to act, but to be seen. Tell not me of your Philosophical love. I am a fool to linger, women's denial Is but and easy cruelty, and they Love to be forced sometime. There's none of you but feel the smart Of a libidinous sting; else wherefore are Those baits and strong allurements to entice us? Wherefore are all your sleekings, and your curlings, Crispings, and paintings, and your skin made soft, And your face smooth with ointments, then your gate, Confined to measure, and composed by art, Beside the wanton petulancy of your eyes, That scatter flames with doubtful motion, Unless it were to prostitute your beauty? Now by this light I think you'll moralise me. I c me as to A Whore, but shall return as from a Saint. I am subdued, she has converted me. I see within the mirror of her goodness, The foulness of my folly: sweet instruct me. And I will style thee my Aegeria. Here's a woman: The soul of Hercules has God into her. She has a spirit, is more masculine, Then the first gender: how her speech has filled me With love and wonder? sweet adie proceed You have redeemed me, And with the sunny beams of your good counsel Worser dispersed the missed that hung so heavy on me: And that you may perceive it takes effect, I'll to the wars immediately. I will begin it in your happy omen: But first confess, that you have vanquished me. And if I shall overcome and enemy, Yield you the Trophies of the victory. I shall attend you. Henceforth I'll strive to fly the sighed of pleasure, As of and Harpy or a Basilisk, And when she flatters, seal my ears with Wax, Took from that boat, that rowed with a deaf oar, From the sweet tunes of the Sicilian shore. Immediately. Is there any of you will go along with me, Beside this Gentleman? Ardelio, thou art my faithful servant. Brother Capritìo, what say you to it? M r . Trimalehio, you are young and lusty, Full of ambitious thoughts. Why, whither are you going? Stay all at home, and hug your ignominies, And while we spoil the enemy, may you Be piled by pimps. Cheaters entrench upon you. Let Bawds, and their issues join with you. Marry With whores, and let projectors rifle for you. And so I leave you. Lady, you are a good Physician, It was your counsel wrought' this miracle, Beyond the power of Aesculapius: For when my mind was stupified, and lost In the pursuit of pleasures: all my body Torn, and dissected with close vanities, You have collected me anew to life: And now I come to you, with as chaste thoughts, As they were first adulterous, and yield A endue submission for the wrong I did Both to your self, and sex. You were born to quit me. Why, who is it? Who? not Faustina? she told me so indeed, Her name was Faustina. Let me look upon her, As on the picture of all goodness, engraved By a celestial finger, shall wear out: A marble character. I knew her not, I am glad there is ascien of our ftock. Can bear such fruit as this, so ripe in virtue. Where have you lived recluse? you were betrothd To one Fidelio; but crossed by your father. I have herd good reports of the Gentleman. Unto his face? Where is he? I am transported, ravished: give me leave Good gods, to entertain with reverence, So great a comfort. Let me first embrace you. Great joys, Like griefs, are silent. Lose me now, And let me make you fast. Here join your hands, Which no age shall untie. Let happiness Distil from you, as the Arabian gums, To bless your issue. And for her dowry, I will Triple it, Here Sanrle is come to be a witness to it. Thanks both to them and thee. How fares our Camp at home, Trimalchio, and the rest? Where is Ardelio Discharge him the house. Take his accounts and office, and dispose them. 'Tis well, I am glad of your happiness, And much joy to my brother Capritio, And his fair spouse. Believe me sir, The Gentlewoman is not to be despised, Her wit and virtues are dowry sufficient. Hold on your course, march on as you came in, And rest content, since fate has thought it fit, To make your Fortune's equal with your wit. Thanks good Ardelio: Your wishes have effect, this is the tree, Under whose shadow Flora builds her Bower, And on whose branches, hangs such tempting fruit, Would draw fair Atalanta from her course; And Altar, on which Queens should sacrifice Their scorned loves: Nature will scarce believe It is her own invention, and repines She has no way to be incestuous. Ardelio, tell me how this suit becomes me? Nay I have A reasonable good Taylor, I hope he has not Survayd me so long, but he knows my dimensions. I think, I may venture i'th presence with it. I should prove too injurious to my self, Should I pass over, with a slight regard, This building, Nature has solemnized With such Magnificence, to which I owe The loves of Ladies, and their daily presents, Their hourly solicitations with letters, Their entertainments when I come, their plots They lay to view me, which should I recount, 'Twould puzzell my Arithmetic, and to answer Their unjust desires, would ask the labours Of some ten Stallions. It's true, I have a strange attractive power Over your females, did you never hear of Three Goddesses, that strove on Ida hill, Naked before a shepherd, for a Ball, With and inscription; Let the fairest have it. Ardelio, tell me what thou dost think of them. But shall I speak with her, and tempt her to it? Why such and one would I converse withal. The Conquest will be greater, shall I see her? Then he that has a pure And sublimed beauty, it's a thing sensible, And cannot be denied, must be admired, And free from all detraction. It shall suffice, but yet you know that man May safely venture to go on his way, That is so guided, that he can not stray. How now, hast thou obtained in thy request? Look high or low, it's true, why are the stars Fixed in their Orbs, but to adorn the heavens? And we adore their beauty more than light. Look on the Arts, how they tend all to beauty, It's their only end: he that builds a house, Strives not so much for use, as ornament, Nor does your Orator compose a speech With lesser care, to have it elegant, Then moving; and your Limner does observe The trimne, and dress, more then the rules of painting. Look on a fair ship, And you will say, it's very beautiful. A General reioyces in the title Of a fair Army. I'll come nearer to you; Who were thought worthy to be deified, But such as were found beautiful? for this cause, Jove took up Ganymede from Ida hill, To fill him wine, and go a hunting with him. For that, Trust to my care; Come let us go about it. Some men may term it lust; but if it him , The better partly shall be ascribed to wit. Come you dissemble, and you all are willing What think you Gentlemen?