A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Vii Part 35

MUCEDORUS. And must I go, and must I needs depart?

Ye goodly groves, partakers of my songs, In time tofore, when fortune did not frown, Pour forth your plaints, and wail awhile with me.

And thou bright sun, my comfort in the cold, Hide, hide thy face, and leave me comfortless.

Ye wholesome herbs and sweet-smelling savours-- Yea, each thing else prolonging life of man-- Change, change your wonted course, that I, Wanting your aid, in woful sort may die.

_Enter_ AMADINE [_and_ ARIENA, _her maid_.]

AMADINE. Ariena, if anybody ask for me, Make some excuse, till I return.

ARIENA. What, and Segasto call?

AMADINE. Do thou the like to him? I mean not to stay long.

[_Exit_.

MUCEDORUS. This voice so sweet my pining spirits revives.

AMADINE. Shepherd, well-met; tell me how thou doest.

MUCEDORUS. I linger life, yet wish for speedy death.

AMADINE. Shepherd, although thy banishment Already be decreed, and all against my will, Yet Amadine----

MUCEDORUS. Ah, Amadine! to hear Of banishment is death--ay, double death to me; But since I must depart, one thing I crave.

AMADINE. Say on, with all my heart.

MUCEDORUS. That in absence either far or near, You honour me as servant with your name.

AMADINE. Not so.

MUCEDORUS. And why?

AMADINE. I honour thee as sovereign of my heart.

MUCEDORUS. A shepherd and a sovereign nothing like.

AMADINE. Yet like enough, where there is no dislike.

MUCEDORUS. Yet great dislike, or else no banishment.

AMADINE. Shepherd, it is only Segasto that Procures thy banishment.

MUCEDORUS. Unworthy wights are most in jealousy.

AMADINE. Would G.o.d they would Free thee from banishment, or likewise banish me.

MUCEDORUS. Amen say I, to have your company.

AMADINE. Well, shepherd, sith thou sufferest This for my sake, With thee in exile also let me live, On this condition, shepherd, thou canst love.

MUCEDORUS. No longer love, no longer let me live.

AMADINE. Of late I loved one indeed, now love I none but only thee.

MUCEDORUS. Thanks, worthy princess: I burn likewise, yet smother up the blast, I dare not promise what I may perform.

AMADINE. Well, shepherd, hark what I shall say, I will return unto my father's court, There[176] to provide me of such necessaries As for my journey I shall think most fit.

This being done, I will return to thee. Do thou Therefore appoint the place, where we may meet.

MUCEDORUS. Down in the valley where I slew the bear; And there doth grow a fair broad branched beech, That overshades a well: so who comes first, Let them abide the happy meeting of Us both. How like you this?

AMADINE. I like it very well.

MUCEDORUS. Now, if you please, you may appoint the time.

AMADINE. Full three hours hence, G.o.d willing, I will return.

MUCEDORUS. The thanks that Paris gave the Grecian queen, The like doth Mucedorus yield.

AMADINE. Then, Mucedorus, for three hours, farewell.

[_Exit_.

MUCEDORUS. Your departure, lady, breeds a privy pain.

[_Exit.

Enter_ SEGASTO _solus_.

SEGASTO. 'Tis well, Segasto, that thou hast thy will.

Should such a shepherd, such a simple swain, As he eclipse thy credit, famous through The court? No, ply, Segasto, ply; Let it not in Arragon be said, A shepherd hath Segasto's honour won.

_Enter_ MOUSE, _the Clown, calling his master_.

CLOWN. What ho! master, will you come away?

SEGASTO. Will you come hither, I pray you, what's the matter?

CLOWN. Why, is it not past eleven o'clock?

SEGASTO. How then, sir?

CLOWN. I pray you, come away to dinner.

SEGASTO. I pray you, come hither.

CLOWN. Here's such a-do with you, will you never come?

SEGASTO. I pray you, sir, what news of the message I sent you about?

CLOWN. I tell you, all the messes be on the table already-- (There wants not so much as a mess of mustard) half an hour ago.