ERICHTHO

Here Syphax here, quake not, for know I know thy thoughts, thou wouldst entreat our power, Nice Sophonisba's passion to enforce To thy affection be all full of Jove, 'Tis done, 'tis done, to us heave earth sea, air, And Fate it self obeys, the beasts of death, And all the terrors angry Gods invented, (Afflict the ignorance of patient man ), Tremble at us: the roulde up snake vncurlde, His twisted knots at our affrighting voice, Are we incensd? the King of flames grows pale, Least he be choakde with black and earthy fumes, Which our charms raise: Be joyed, make proud thy lust I do not pray you Gods, my breathes: You must. Know then our love, hard by the revere ̄ to ruins Of a once glorious temple rearde to Jove, Whose very rubbish (Like the pitied fallen, Of Virtue much unfortunate) yet bears, A deathless Majesty though now quite raced, Hurled down by wrath, and lust of impious Kings So that where holy Flamins wont to sing, Sweet Hyms to heaven, there the daw and crow, The ill voic'de Raven, and still chattering Pie: Send out ungrateful found, and loathsome filth, Where statues and Jove's acts were vively limed Boys with black coals, draw the veiled parts of nature, And lecherous actions of imaginde lust, Where tombs and beauteous urns of well dead men. Stood in assured rest, the shepherd now, Unloads his belly: Corruption most abhorred Mingling it self with their renowned ashees, Our self quakes at it. There once a Charnel house, now a vast cave, Over whose brow a pale and unt rod grove Throws out her heavy shade, the mouth thick arms Of darksome Ewe, (Sun proof) for ever choke Within rests barren darkness, fruitless drough Pines in eternal Night: The steam of Hell Yields not so lazy air: there that's my cell From thence a charm which Jove dare not here twic Shall force her to thy bed: but Syphax know Love is the highest rebel to our art. Therefore I charge thee by the fear of all Which thou knowest dreadful, or more, by our self As with swift hast she passes to thy bed, And easy to thy wishes yields: speak not one word Nor dare as thou dost fear thy lose of joys T'admit one light, one light, Then when I shall force The air to music and the shads of night To form sweet sounds: make proud thy raised delight. Mean time behold I go a charm to rear Whose potent found will force our self to fear. Erichtho. Erichtho Hark hark, now softer melody strikes mute Disquiet nature: Oh thou power of found How thou dost melt me. Hark, now even Heaven Gives up his soul amongst us: Now's the time When greedy expectation strains mine eyes For their loved object: now Erichtho willed Prepare my appetite for loves strict gripes Oh you dear founts of pleasure Blood and Beauty Raise active venus worth fruition Of such provoking sweetness. Hark: she coms A short song to soft Music above. Now nuptial Hymes enforced Spirits sing Hark, ( Syphax ) hark: Cantant Now Hell and Heaven rings With Music spigh of Phœbus: Peace: Enter Erichtho in the shape of Sophonisba, her face veiled and hastes in the bed of Syphax. She coms: Fury of bloods impatient: Erichtho Above thunder fit; to thee egregious soul Let all flesh bend. Sophonisba thy flame But equal mine, and weel joy such delight That Gods shall not admire, but even spite. Would, would, would, Would, would, Why fool of kings, could thy weak soul imagine That t'is within the grasp of Heaven or Hell To enforce love? why know Love dotes the Fates Jove groans beneath his weight: more ignorant thing, Know we Erichtho, with athirsty womb Have coveted full threescore Suns for blood of kings, We that can make enraged Neptune toss His huge curled locks without one breath of wind: We that can make Heaven slide from Atlas shoulder: We in the pride and haight of covetous lust Have wished with woe men greediness to fill Our longing arms with Syphax well strong limbs: And dost thou think if Philters or Hels charms Could have enforced thy use, we would hau'dam'd Brain sleights? no, no, Now are we full Of our deer wishes: thy proud heat well wasted Hath made our limbs grow young: our love farewell, Know he that would force love, thus seeks his Hell.