DAPHNIS

I thought, that it had been my love. 'Tis true Charinus, 'twere not fit indeed: Who should bestow the daughter, but the Father? Would she were mine, I'de ask no portion. Thank you good Charinus: But I had rather she had told me so. O, she was born to be a plague unto me. Aside. Now I'll come in, And see what I can do with this my gift. A present, which I mean to give my love. Oh good Charinus, none must look in it, But she herself to whom it is presented. Farewell old man; health to my dearest Mistress If you, Nerina, would vouchsafe to love Him that loves you, and ever will, you might Make your content such as you would your self. As oft Dorinda have I spoke to you, To leave to trouble me: I cannot love you. Will you then slight my love, because it's offered? Some body else may love you, I cannot. Oh cruel words, how they do Pierce my heart! How can I help it, if your destiny Lead you to love, where you may not obtain. It is not destiny that injures me, It is thy cruel will, and marble heart. Then it's disdain of me. Pray leave me, I have other business now To trouble me; if you disdain me not, Fair Nymph, as you pretend, receive my offer. My heart. Oh importunity! First I would tear it piecemeal here before you. Let her go where she will, behold sweet saint This Mirror here, the faithful representer Of that which I adore, your beauteous form, When you do see in that how how lovely are your looks, you will not blame my love. How do you love? not well? So, let her go, and let this work awhile. She cast and eye upon me as she went, That by its languishing did seem to say, Daphnis I'm thine, thou hast overcome at last: Alcon, th'hast made me happy by thy art. Q. TEll me what you think on earth The greatest bliss? A. Riches, honour, and high birth. Q. Ah, what is this? If love be banished the heart, The joy of Nature, not of Art? What's honour worth, or high descent? Or ample wealth, If cares do breed us discontent, Or want of health? A. It is the order of the Fates, That these should wait on highest states. Cho. Love only does our souls refine, And by his skill Turns humane things into divine, And guides our will. Then let us of his praises sing, Of love, that sweetens every thing. Now love deliver me; And must you come to trouble me? Be gone; I cannot stay to hear thy tedious follies. alas poor fool, The Gods do laugh at such slight perjuries As come from lovers. Then I see. There is no end of women's reasoning; Or else this might suffice thee, that I cannot No nor I will not love thee. Never. Yes, for a poisoned glass, a precious jewel. Do you so? And to do me a courtesy, you killed her. Be sure thou shalt: But canst thou hope for such a strong illusion To mock my sense? did I not see her dead? Let me hear them. Yet you were Too blame, that you'd not tell me this before I gave it her. And what must now be done? It was well done. Let's loose no time. long to see my love alive again. She is dead, I see. Here, but take heed it do not spoil her face. The Gods, I see, will not let beauty die: he breathes, she stirs, her eyes begin to open As after sleep. Oh miracle! No sweet, I live to be the servant of Nerina. She thinks of Hylas still, what shall I do? In Daphnis heart you live, and ever did. Oh Gods again? Nerina think not on him, You must love me. You are deceived. You are not dead. By my device to keep me company. Ask me not that, but go along with me. Where love and silence shall befriend us best. You were, but I your servant changed that death unto a sleep. I can, And did for love of you. Come with me, and you shall. Then know fair shepherdess, that when I saw My love, my services, my gifts, my vows, Did all return to me without your love, I had recourse unto this Artifice, A Pleasant one of loves Invention, Which you may well remember. I did present you with a looking glass. Nothing at all. Pray go this way with me. That cast you into this deep lethargy: Such was the Magic of it. To make you mine. My services I thought would merit it, Beside the world not dreaming but you were Dead, and here buried, we two might live Together without being known to any. Why then it seems You do not love me. Then it's no time to dally, come along, Or I will force you. Fool, stop your mouth, no humane help shall save thee Or death, or victory Shall crown my enterprise. She was a fool to cry, I should have pleased her Ere this perhaps. Cover, you Gods, The world in public ruin, or else show me A way to hide my shame. This old man Is full of malice, nothing troubles him; The ills that he has done, fly from his thoughts, And he rejoices that he did, them quaintly: I have begun my youth, as if I meant To have my age so punished as his is, Enter Dorinda. Who's this? Dorinda? I have done her wrong: I sued for love to her first, which obtained, I stuck disgraces on her; let me ask Forgiveness now, for 'twere too much to hope, That she should love one stained with such a deed As I have done, so foul and impious. Gentle Nymph. I mean no scorn, I come to ask your pardon For what I've done already, not to heap More sins upon my head. But true Dorinda, will you spit upon me? Take your revenge, for I have well deserved it. My many ills Discredit my repentance: if my words Can find no faith with you, believe my tears, Indeed they are not feigned. Forgive me first, and then I will begin By my endeavours and true services To deserve something of you, if not love. Oh say not so, let me Rather be thine; it will be pride in me To be ambitious of it. Why should you fear? by Pan you are to me What ere you can imagine; equal, above All that I ere thought fair; and if you be Content to hide my faults, and take me to Your nuptial bed, (which yet I dare not hope) But if you will, when ere that day shall come, Th'embraces of my love and me, shall be Such as the Cyprian boy from our abundance, Shall take his fires to kindle other hearts, Yet leave with us a flame, which we will cherish, And keep alive unto eternity.