EUGENIA

He's welcome: Pray what's your business? You come a wooing do you not? Heigho! Troth, if you be a good man, be not tedious, I do not love set speeches nor long praises, I hope y'ave made no verses o'my hair, Acrostics o'my name, I hate them worse Than witchcraft, or the place I live in: if You be a suitor, put me out of my pain, Quickly I beseech you. My servant? what can you do? I cannot help it, it's none of my fault. I cannot, Unless I counterfeit, I have not smiled These ten months; if a sighs will pleasure you, I can afford enough to break your heart, And yet I live. Walk into the other room, You'll find and alteration in the air, And think you come into a missed, which I Made all with my own sighs, but I would not Infect you so; you seem and honest Gentleman. It's in the power Of one, that would be kind to help me, but— You may love me too much, To undertake that task. O yes, for though I should esteem him deer, And call him my true friend, that in this storm Would lend a cord to save me, yet such is The misery of the employment, he must not Love me too well that does it. I release these hasty Protestations. I will, although Every syllable you speak, makes me suspect, You will repent this freedom. If you will do A grateful Office to me, in your person Give this paper to a Gentleman. gives him a letter. In the direction You'll find it, with all necessary circumstance To meet with him If you please To make it then a perfect act of Nobleness, You may take notice, that I long have loved him, And if you find him cold, in the perusal: Tell him I had the promise of his faith, When I gave up my heart, i'th presence of A thousand Angels, that will witness it: If yet he be not soft to stir up his Compassion, tell him how I live, and languish, You may report you saw me weep, I have not Much more to say, if you will do this favour, 'Twill be and argument of your respect, I see your resolution cools already. I shall desire to see him again, my heart Is light upon sudden, please you Uncle I'll in, and play a lesson o'my Lute. Exit. Has truth forsook mankind? or is it my Fate only to converse with those that are So cruel and neglectful of our sex? Unhappy Maid is he not yet returned? Then I despair to see him: And when I think indeed of the employment, That it's against himself, I may with justice Accuse my want of judgement, to expect He should perform so hard and imposition: I would I could not think of any man, They rob me of my peace: I prithee try Thy voice, to put my heart in better tune; There is a power in harmony, some say, To charm the unruly motions of the brain: Love is itself a melancholy madness: Why should not Music cure the wound of love? Melancholy hence, go get Some piece of earth to be thy seat, Here the air and nimble fire, Would shoot up to meet desire: Sullen humour, leave her blood, Mix not with the purer flood, But let pleasures swelling there, Make a Springtide all the year. As well As this restraint will give me leave, and yet It does appear a partly of my enlargement To have your company: I hope your sister Enjoys her health. Nothing as yet. But I have met occasion to convey A Letter to him, yet I cannot promise: But here's the messenger. The same, I did conceal him for his shame. You are welcome, Sir. Shall I believe you have been faithful to My griefs request? Pronounce those words again. He did say so: What meant she To mock me with another sad relation? Was't a device in her to increase my joy At meeting, he did talk of comfort; is it A thing restored in nature? O, before You bless my ear again with that wished found, Excuse my modesty, if my heart present A kiss to thank you. Now let your comforts flow. Can this be possible? Let me but live to see him, and I write My ambition satisfied Where? Indeed I love him still and shall do ever, Nor had I now returned to life, but that I had not took my leave of him If you'll oblige a Virgin, For ever to you once more visit him, Tell him I lie Like one thats desperate sick, Oppressed with grief of body, and of mind, But cannot be so fortunate to quit The world till he vouchsafe to visit me. Bid him not fear I will detain him long With idle talk, six words and I am dead. Although he love me not, he may do this: If you will add this to your other work, I will impose no more, indeed I will not: So farewell noble Sir. Exit. MAy I believe my self so fortunate? Art thou returned, or do I dream thus happily? Are these my Thornays arms? are those his lips? Can he repent his cruelty and love? How soon are all my tears dried up? I do Forgive my griefs, and think they have been modest, And gentle sufferings, who can merit such A joy, that has not felt a world of sorrow? Let us embrace again, and if thou canst Confirm me yet more, that I am awake, And taste my true delight. We are betrayed. I hope my breath has not offen dead you. Pray stay a little. O let me fly into his arms and boast Never had woman such a noble servant, Blessed was that minute Uncle, in which you First knew this Gentleman; more blessed I, That do enjoy by him, that which my heart Next heaven affects most; it'll be and age Till holy Church confirms our vows, I cannot Manage the comforts you have given me, I did not think I should so soon have met A husband, Uncle. Noble Sir, what service can reward this goodness in you? From Mistress Chrysolina ? Let me entreat you Sir, peruse that paper. Sir you know Chrysolina ? Poor Gentlewoman is in love with Yongrave : We have arrived at our desires already, And want but the Church sealing, she is lost, Unless he meet her wishes, it'll become Our piety to advance, in what we may The common cause of love, then briefly thus— As you are charitable, go presently. We'll get off well enough: Eug. and Thor. whisper. Pray her to meet us. Then I resign to her, in this alone, I will deserve these noble offices. You know the place. Love her, and let us all be happy. Though I could wish your presence. He ha prevented us. Exeunt. Sir: if you will acknowledge your Niece. You must accept a Nephew too: we are as fast as they. I love him above my life, but you have only his heart, he says; for which I languish, if you have power to dispose it, I will cherish some hope, he will love me, at least for your sake. His noble carriage to you, made me first affect him, then sinnce you are happy in another, let me owe to your virtue for his affection, without whom I am the most miserable— Chrysolina.