GERARD

Prithee come, venture in. What needs this ceremony? The fair ones will not blast you. Faith, I could wish Thy affection not engaged, there's so much beauty And goodness in this pair of sisters I shall be bold. What buffoonery is this? In this variety of servantss, I Acknowledge you greatly honour me, and in the presence Of both your parents to vouchsafe this favour, Doubly obliges me. The truth is, as you ask, I love nei there. Love neither of them best, they are so equal in beauty, and desert, by both I swear, I cannot prefer any. When I have the happiness to speak with one alone Theres so much sweetness in her, such a troop Of graces waiting on her words and actions, I love her infinitely, and think it blessing To see her smile, but when the tother comes In presence, in her eye she brings a charm To make me dote on her; I am divided, And Like the trembling Needle of a Dial, My heart's afraid to fix, in such a plenty I have no star to sail by. The scales are even still, that one had less Perfection, to make the doubtful balance Give difference in their valve; but I wrong Their virtues to wish either any want, That equally incline my soul to love they. Justice I now consent, thou shouldst be blind, My eyes are but the cause I cannot see, And will not give my judgement leave to make Distinction of these two Democritus, I do allow thy rashness, and confess Then thou didst rectify thy contemplation When thou didst loose thy sighed. Which of these two Instruct me love, that tother? both? what fate Hovers about my choice? Were it not sin I would be blind, as Poets fancy love, Into whom now I am transformed, that then My soul not looking through these glasses, might With inward speculation aim at her, That is the happiest, if one can be so. You cannot. Both? it must needs be granted, 'Tis a command, And I must needs obey; you two divide this Empires I pray stay. Exit. I would determine now, but cannot—fair ones, Was ever lover so perplexed? I must resolve. Yes, Here I am lost indeed; prithee excuse my dulness. Didst? and how dost Like they prithee? Which, which of them? Thy wishes are Not modest: couldst thou love one of them nobly? Would? thou hast a person and fortune to invite thy Entertainment, come let me counsel you. To love, and to a blessing: couldst thou see So sweet a pair, and feel no burning shaft? Hast thou a soul about thee, that is capable Of knowledge and delight? didst ever love? How? Prithee do not trifle. A woman? With honour? Enough; thou shalt have cause Within two minutes, shalt but see again These sisters, and be proud to be a servant, I prophesy already; o my friend! Yes, thou shalt go with me And speak to they, and be amazed as I am, To know there are such creatures. All other women Are but Like pictures in a gallery, Set off to th'eye, and have no excellency But in their distance; but these two, far off Shall tempt thee to just wonder, and drawn near Can satisfy thy narrowest curiosity: The stock of woman hath not two more left, To rival them in graces. That question Hath puzzled me already. I love em both, so equally, I know not which to name. A little, Contain thy self, and call thy reason to thee, Although it be the cruelty of my fate, can be no bar to thee; I can enjoy But one, and yet thou shalt have choice Of both, thou art not thus my rival, But my friend, relief of my distraction for she Whom thou refusest, if thou canst endear thy self to either, In my heart shall meet a clear and perfect entertainment. But 'tis not I, I see you are a woman, I have nothing else to say. Exit. I am too little to contain my joy, It flows above the narrow banks Aurelia : What shall I say let me both here eternally, And study new Arithmetic, to count Our blessings. Nor is suspicion a cause enough in justice to condemn. I am blasted. But first we must the licence of these Gentlemen. I am confident, Nor hath she any virtue, which you do not Divide with her; your twins in birth and goodness! I think the stock of his discourse be wasted, And he returns to take up more on's credit, Until he break again, the Town is full Of these vainglorious flashes. My answer shall be just, and free. I dare not call it my misfortune Sir, And yet I know not.— On whom shall I complain for my hard fate? Love is not innocent enough to be A child, yet Poets give him Deity, Found men! prove it in me, thou quiverd Boy, That love with equal flame two Mistress's, I will believe thee a God, and kiss thy dart, Furnish my bosom with another heart. Exit. How came you hither? Canst thou resolve? win either, And we both grow happy at once. They are here. I will leave this Gentleman; He is my best friend Ladies. I hope you will be just, At my return, when I declare my self. I am your honourer. Exit. Before thou speakest to me, let me peruse Thy face, I'll tell my self how thou hast sped: Well? is't not so? Yet do not answer me, That smile does not show clear, there is some cloud Ith' corner of thy forehead, that would spread, And darken all thy face. Hast prevailed? With which? why now thou art to tedious. Would, what found was that? With Chrysolina? I prithee what of her, I love her dearly; Thou hast not filched away her heart, it grew with mine. Hast thou not seen the Woodbine, That honey-dropping tree, and the loved Bryer, Embrace with their chaste bonghs, twisting themselves, And weaving a green net to catch the birds, Till it do seem one body, while the flowers Wantonly run to meet and kiss each other? So 'twas betwixt us two. What my Aurelia? Thou canst not rob me so: the amorous Turtles Have but their imitation from our love; The Pelican loves not her young so well, That digs upon her breast and hundred springs, When in her blood she baths the innocent birds, As I do my Aurelia. I prithee stay. I forgotten my self, I prithee pardon me, I will excuse thee when thou art in love. Speak, I am recollected. Thou didst name both, thou art so unhappy. Which, which of them did most encourage thee? I shall be lost ith' dark: declare which. Half consenting. 'Tis false; and such a stain thou throwest upon that Virgin, Thy blood deserves to purge. So thou hast, if it be true. But I prithee tell me, With what Art didst thou so soon win her to thee? It was some months here I prevailed; and were I not Confident of thy honesty, I should Suspect some witchcraft. IT must be a lucky minute. We must not be too rash, lets walk, and think on't. Exeunt. It must be so, and yet me thinks I move Without a soul, she is the first apostate From loves religion, in that my honour Is safe, and it is justice, my Aurelia, This heart to thee, should now alone be sacred. 'Tis so, he has prevailed with her, And she will boast her change. Reserve your news, I do not thirst to hear it. I was created for this happiness, To these embraces which do more than twist Our bodies, every circle of thy arms Enchains my soul, that does forget all freedom, And willingly submit to be thy prisoner. You do ill To interrupt our joys upon this lip That deserves all should open to commend it, I seal the contract of my heart for ever, I will be nothing when I am not thine: Suspect the stars may loose themselves in heaven, But never I this vow, thy sister has No partly in my affection; she usurped Some title, but I now have canceled all The thoughts of her, and offer thee my self, My self thy perfect honourer. Ex. Her. Aur. You are sad Aurelia ; what on the sudden Can beget this change? Are you in health? Your blood methinks Is wandering from your cheek, your eyes have lost Their lightning too, call back your smiles, and bless Him that is now your creature. Would. By your beauty, By those fair eyes, that never killed till now, Make me so happy, but to know what cause Inclines you to suspect, and I will take it The greatest argument of love, that ever A Virgin showed to man; then I'll be bold, And with the whiteness of my soul make such Assurance of you, that not malice, aided With all the devils cunning, shall be able To interpose one scruple more against me. I did once, my Aurelia. It's most true. Was ever man so miserably lost? Is there a balm can cure me? O, I bleed: The sword wounds gently but love kills indeed. Exit. What then? may not a man be mad, and yet talk wisely? Do not abuse thy knowledge, at the worst Thou canst but say, our senses are depraved, Thrown off o'th'hinge; the tongue is none I hope, Though some would have the titillation Joined to make up a sixth in the grave Synod: Believe then I am mad; I'll prov't by reason. Then thou art mad thy self. Now thou talkest wildly. If it be so, that may conclude I have lost they, And do not understand my self. Prithee tell me, thou art a piece of a Philosopher, And knowest the natural causes. Why then acknowledge, I am mad, and I have done. But wherefore do y'allow it, what's the cause? I'll tell thee then. And let thy judgement censure me If I produce not able reasons— But of one? Did they not both affect me, and I them With such equality of honour. And I to loose they both? faith speak but honestly; Is't not a wonder that I do not rave And kill my self? how many have run mad For one that never loved they? and shall I Be so unmannerly not to loose my wits For two and two such creatures? it a Solecism In love: I prithee do not flatter me With and opinion that I have my reason; It cannot be, it is against all sense, I should have any; such and expectation Lost, is enough to make the genius Of all the world run mad, and I will straight. To Bedlam, whither should I go? I must not live in this community of fools and wisemen. Here all are happy, there I sha'not meet With lovers that are fortunate, but with men Of my complexion, that look twenty ways At once, that sighs and curse, and sing mad Carols: If I can get to be their Prince, I'll make A law it shall be death to smile or kiss A woman. Nay, we'll have And excellent well governed Common wealth, A delicate Eutopia, there shall be Lectures and public readings shall put down Gressams foundation for the liberal Arts, And make the Citizens bring their Shop-books hither To take fine notes, how to be paid their debts, And yet trust none but younger brother's: then We will have penal Statutes against eating, Live all by the air of commendations. No idle man shall live within our State: Do you mark? they are the mouths of the Republic: And therefore he that has no other work To prevent slothfulness, may employ his time In picking straws, there will be a great plenty. Here will we live together, and be mad Perpetually, we won't be recovered; For if at any time we incline to be Sober, and coming to our wits again, The lash will whip us into new distempers And mad fugaries. I prithee pardon and instruct me better; I am not well. No, I am well again. Upon condition you will tell Aurelia She did not use me kindly. She did not use me kindly, nothing else, Farewell. Exit. I once believed women were full of pity, Of soft and gentle constitutions: But I have found they cruel: for Aurelia, One of the best of all her sex, does own A hard and tyrannous nature. Enter servant. I prithee let it be undone, as I am. I gave to be taught Music? I'll hear't anon: I prithee go — To Prison. Yes, and ask when are the Sessions. I would 'twere execution day to morrow. I would entreat the Surgeons to beg Some Woman for Anatomy, nothing else: I have herd their Lectures very much commended, And I'ld be present when they read upon Her heart: for sure there is much difference Between a Woman and a Man, in that Same thing we call a heart, they do not love As we do; we are fools, indeed we are, To dote so much upon they, and betray The glory of our creation, to serve A female pride; we were born free, and had From the great Maker Royal privilege, Most brave immunities: but since have made Tame forfeit of our Charter. Let me see't, It is the same, first read it, reach the chair: 'Tis yet no Song, infuse a soul into it. Would, 'tis not she, do I dream still; Come hither, dost thou see nothing? Do not abuse thy master, it's not possible Aurelia Will do me so much honour; in my sleep Me thought I parled with her, and my fancy Hath not yet lost her shape; O my Aurelia! Do not mock me Thou wilt be cruel when I wake again; And then I shall repent I dreamt so sweetly. Let not the ground be hallowed with Such water, I have a heart to drink this Balsome: Enough Aurelia, do not make thy eyes Poor, to enrich thy bosom, where the drops Show Like a Carkanet of Pearl upon it, Thou hast enough restored me. 'Tis sin not to obey. It is to heaven thou goest. Convey me swiftly thither. What bliss can be denied, A man that follows such and Angel-guide? Exeunt. My duty shall deserve it, 'tis ene so, good Master Caperwit you must dance without her.