MARIANA

C Ome, prithee tell me brother, why art sad. I do; and wish that I could tell you such a secret of mine own; for of all men living, I think you most happy. How can that be! is not Clarinda yours? In which (were I a man) I should believe More happiness consisted, then for to be a Monarch. Nothing can take her from you but the graven, I hope she is not sick. Be plain sweet brother. Why who compels it? He is now at liberty. How came you by this miserable knowledge. Then he does no way suspect there's love betwixt you; But tell me Brother how poor Clarinda Did receive her Father's deadly proposition. And having said so, did she not cast her watery eyes Upon you, and in this sad, yet pleasing language, Tell you, that she would not forsake you for the Duke. Brother it's true; but I so seldom see you, That I'll not go, unless you promise to come and see me. That is but your excuse; I have told you how often the Princess Earnestly hath desired to see you; yet you would never go. Will you not come six miles to see a Sister That so dearly loves you? I wonder how the Dear escaped; the follow-dog Once pinched him. Why will you course among the bushes? Gerard the Keeper would have brought you To a fairer course; but you will never let Him go along. Madame, it's very hight, will you go bath your self In the River. Madame, the breath hath quite forsaken this body, as I think: Oh my deer Brother! Dear Brother speak, who hath hurt you? Brother it is the Princess. Dear Brother, what was your quarrel? But Madame, is it possible that (You) should love him thus? Madame, I'll go see. Oh Madame 'we are undone, it is the King, Who threatens to hang up Gerard for concealing Of my Brother. Why, love you any one so well to give away your heart I know she's dearer to you? Why, think you shee'l prove false? Madame, it's true, we not alone in Princes See the bitter effects of such forced Marriages; But even in private Families, Murders and Adulteries, do often wait upon those Couples Whose Bodies are compelled by Parents or Friends To join for worldly respects, without the souls consent. Oh deer Madame, what a sad object's this? Oh Madame say not so, had you but even now So great a care to save his life, and are you now So cruel to say that he must perish by the hand Of Justice, though he should escape these wounds? Would not the Duke have killed him if he could? I'll pawn my life upon it, my Brother killed him fairly. I want words to express how much I love And honour you. Brother, I know you see it your self, Though you will not take notice of it. I'll see who it is. Exit. Exceeding well Madame; Brother, here is the Princess. Madame, I rather wish My Brother never had been born, Then that the King should know you love him, Nay, I hope you know it not your self: Shall I believe that your great heart, that ever Yet contemned love, can on a sudden in four Or five days knowledge, be struck by my unworthy Brother's slender merits, and one that must Be perjured too, if he should love you. Brother, me thinks now your wounds being well. It were good to quit this Country for a while: For it is impossible but by some means or other, If you stay hear, you will be discovered. The time hath been, that you without Clarinda's leave would have done nothing. Madame, it were in me presumption To censure any of your actions. Oh Madam yes, my poor Brother must die to day. Madame, I could wish that I might not outlive him. Madame, how strangely do you talk. Yet you must have Your husband chosen to your hand; the King your Brother Will take that pains for you. When she shall know you have another Mistria, She will call back her judgement, and quickly Free her self: but Brother, I do fear You love her too; you look and speak to her With more affection then well becomes your faith, Being promised to Clarinda. Madame, we must not go until the Gods do call us, Yet I bylieue it is the better place.