A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Vi Part 21

_Enter_ HERMIONE _and_ FIDELIA.

HERMIONE.

Why then, my dear, what is the greatest prize in love?

FIDELIA.

Absence of other griefs, the greatest that loving hearts can prove.

HERMIONE.

But absence cannot minish love, or make it less in ought.

FIDELIA.

Yet nevertheless it leaves a doubt within the other's thought.

HERMIONE.

And what is that?--

FIDELIA.

Lest change of air should change the absent mind.

HERMIONE.

That fault is proper but to them whom jealousy makes blind.

FIDELIA.

O, pardon it, for that the cause from whence it springs is such.

HERMIONE.

From whence is that?

FIDELIA.

My mother says, from loving over-much.

HERMIONE.

Your author I will not admit; that rests us[73] it to prove.

FIDELIA.

Be sure it is, that jealousy proceeds of fervent love.

HERMIONE.

Can that be fervent love, wherein suspicion leads the mind?

FIDELIA.

Most fervent love, where so much love doth make the fancy blind.

HERMIONE.

But faithful love can never be, wherein suspect doth dwell.

FIDELIA.

The faithful lovers do suspect, because they love so well.

HERMIONE.

My dear Fidelia, as I think, thy love is such to me, So fervent, faithful and unstain'd, as purer none can be, Admit occasions fall out, then, that I must part from thee, Tell me, wilt thou mean s.p.a.ce suspect inconstancy in me?

FIDELIA.

If so I do, impute it to the force of lovers' laws, That oftentimes are touch'd with fear, whereas there is no cause.

[ARMENIO _listening_.

ARMENIO.

What have I heard? what do mine eyes behold?

Dishonour to the house from whence I came!

Unshamefast girl, forgetful, all too bold: And thou, false traitor, author of the same.

Sufferest not, for guerdon of thy due, The king my father's gracious countenance, But must thou climb, ungrateful and untrue, These steps at first thine honour to advance?

Hath Fortune promised so much hope at first, To make thy conquest of a prince's child?

And should I stand to question, how thou durst To leave to think she might be so beguil'd?

But words may not suffice to wreak this wrong, Hid under cloak of over-hardy[74] love.

Thou[75] upstart fondling, and forborne too long, To give such cause thy prince's ire to move.

FIDELIA.

Nay, my good brother, take it not so whot: The fault is mine, and I will bear the blame.

And to return you an answer, well I wot How to defend the honour of my name.

But for my love, I am resolved in this, However you account of his defaults, With vowed affection wholly to be his, As one in whom I spy more special parts, Than fall in fondlings of the baser kind.

To have a word not squaring with the place, But measure men by their unstained minds, Let fortune be to virtue no disgrace; For fortune, when and where it likes her majesty, With clouds can cover birth and highest degree.

ARMENIO.

What, dame, and are you shameless in your shame?

No, mistress, no: it will not be let past; But, wilful wench, this new-attempted game, Ere it be won, will ask another cast.

And, lady, cloak his virtues as you will, He'll be but as I said, a fondling still.

HERMIONE.

Erst had I thought, my lord, a man so wise as you, Son to a prince, scholar to him that depth of learning knew, Among many lessons one,[76] this rule could wisely find, To have the government of wrath and rancour of your mind.

What high offence is given unto your father's grace?

I take it nothing needful here to reason of the case: But stand he less content, or pleased herewithal, My lord, that thus you should mislike the cause is very small.

The unremoved love I bear my lady here, Whose countenance my comfort is, that holds my love as dear, Commands me to digest such hard and bitter words, As not with credit of your state your honour here affords.

Else, prince, persuade thyself, my mind were not so base To pocket, but for such respects, so hard and foul disgrace.

And this,[77] lady--Hermione, for ought that men do know, By birth may be as n.o.bly born as Prince Armenio.

ARMENIO.

Traitor, thou shalt not joy that proud comparison.

FIDELIA.

My good Hermione, come hence; let him alone.

ARMENIO.

Nay, dame; it likes me not that you should go.

HERMIONE.

Whether thou wilt, Armenio, she shall, though thou say no.

ARMENIO.