Beaumont and Fletcher's Works. Volume 9. Beaumont Francis
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Alb. Ye are still more welcome;
For good friends in afflictions give good Councels.
Pray then proceed.
Amin. Pray eat first, ye shew faint;
Here's Wine to refresh ye too.
Alb. I thank ye dear.
Amin. Drink again.
Alb. Here's to our loves.
How, turn and weep!
Pray pledge it: this happiness we have yet left,
Our hearts are free. Not pledge it? Why?
And though beneath the Axe this health were holy,
Why do ye weep thus?
Amin. I come to woo ye.
Alb. To woo me Sweet? I am woo'd and won already,
You know I am yours. This pretty way becomes ye.
But you would deceive my sorrows; that's your intent.
Amin. I would I could, I should not weep, but smile.
Do ye like your Meat and Wine?
Alb. Like it?
Amin. Do you like your liberty?
Alb. All these I well may like.
Amin. Then pray like her that sent 'em.
Do ye like wealth, and most unequal'd beauty?
Alb. Peace, indeed you'l make me angry.
Amin. Would I were dead that ask it,
Then ye might freely like, and I forgive ye.
Alb. What like, and who? add not more misery
To a man that's fruitful in afflictions.
Who is't you would have me like?
Who sent these comforts?
Amin. I must tell.
Alb. Be bold.
Amin. But be you temperate.
If you be bold I die. The young fair Virgin;
(Sorrow hath made me old.) O hearken,
And wisely hark, the Governess daughter:
That Star that strikes this Island full of wonder,
That blooming sweetness.
Alb. What of her?
Amin. She sent it: and with it,
It must be out, she dotes on ye,
And must enjoy ye: else no joy must find ye.
Alb. And have you the patience to deliver this?
Amin. A sister may say much, and modestly.
Alb. A sister?
Amin. Yes, that name undid ye;
Undid us both: had ye nam'd Wife, she had fear'd ye;
And fear'd the sin she follow'd; She had shun'd, yea
Her Virgin modesty had not touch'd at ye.
But thinking you were free, hath kindled a fire,
I fear will hardly be extinguisht.
Alb. Indeed I played the fool.
Amin. O my best Sir, take heed,
Take heed of lies. Truth, though it trouble some minds,
Some wicked minds, that are both dark and dangerous:
Yet it preserves it self, comes off pure, innocent,
And like the Sun, though never so eclips'd,
Must break in glory. O Sir, lie no more.
Alb. Ye have read me a fair Lecture,
And put a spell upon my tongue for fayning.
But how will you counsel now?
Amin. Ye must study to forget me.
Alb. How?
Amin. Be patient.
Be wise and patient, it conce[r]ns ye highly.
Can ye lay by our loves? But why should I doubt it?
Ye are a man, and man may shift affections,
'Tis held no sin. To come to the point,
Ye must lose me; many and mighty reasons.
Alb. Hear me Aminta,
Have you a man that loves you too, that feeds ye,
That sends ye liberty? Has this great Governess
A noble son too, young, and apt to catch ye?
Am I, because I am in bonds, and miserable,
My health decay'd, my youth and strength half blasted,
My fortune like my waining self, for this despis'd?
Am I for this forsaken? a new love chosen,
And my affections, like my fortunes, wanderers?
Take heed of lying, you that chid me for it;
And shew'd how deep a sin it was, and dangerous.
Take heed, your self, you swore you lov'd me dearly;
No few, nor little oathes you swore Aminta,
Those seal'd with no small faith, I then assur'd my self.
O seek no new wayes to cozen truth.
Amin. I do not.
By love it self I love thee,
And ever must, nor can all deaths dissolve it.
Alb. Why do you urge me thus then?
Amin. For your safety,
To preserve your life.
Alb. My life, I do confess, is hers,
She gives it,
And let her take it back, I yield it.
My loves intirely thine, none shall touch at it;
None, my Aminta, none.
Amin. Ye have made me happy,
And now I know ye are mine. Fortune, I scorn thee.
Goe to your rest, and I'll sit by ye;
Whilst I have time I'll be your mate, and comfort ye,
For only I am trusted: you shall want nothing,
Not a liberty that I can steal ye.
Alb. May we not celebrate our loves Aminta?
And where our wishes cannot meet.
Amin. You are wanton,
But with cold kisses I'll allay that fever;
Look for no more, and that in private too.
Believe me, I shall blush else.
But, let's consider, we are both lost else.
Alb. Let's in, and prevent fate.
Tib. You do well to ayr us, Ladies, we shall be musty else.
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