A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Xi Part 132

ACT III.

_Enter_ POLYMETES, ROSCIO, EUGENIO, _and_ PSECTAS.

POL. I cannot credit it, nor think that she, Of all the n.o.ble youth of Sicily, Should make so strange a choice; that none but he, None but the son of my vow'd enemy, Must be her mate: it strikes me to amaze.

Minion, take heed, do not belie your mistress.

PSEC. Mercy forsake me if I do, my lord: You charg'd me to confess the truth to you, Which I have fully done; and presently I'll bring you where (conceal'd) you shall both see Their privacy, and hear their conference.

POL. Well, I believe thee, wench, and will reward Thy trust[428] in this: go, get thee in again, And bring me word when Philocles is come, [_Exit_ PSECTAS.

Sir, you'll be secret to our purpose?

EUG. As your own breast, my lord?

POL. I shall rest thankful to you: This stranger must be sooth'd, lest he mar all.

ROS. This was well found out, my lord: you now have means to take your enemy.

POL. Which bless'd occasion I will so pursue, As childless Euphues shall for ever rue.

Rise in thy blackest look, direst Nemesis, a.s.sistant to my purpose, help me glut My thirsty soul with blood! This bold young man To his rash love shall sacrifice his life.

ROS. What course do you intend to ruin him?

POL. Why, kill him presently.

ROS. O no, my lord, You'll rue that action: think not that the law Will let such murder sleep unpunish'd.

POL. Should I then let him go, when I have caught him?

ROS. Yes, sir; to catch him faster, and more safely.

POL. How should that be? Speak, man.

ROS. Why thus, my lord?

You know the law speaks death to any man That steals an heir without her friend's consent: Thus must he do, his love will prompt him to it.

For he can never hope by your consent To marry her; and she, 'tis like, will give Consent, for women's love is violent: Then mark their pa.s.sage, you shall easily find How to surprise them at your will, my lord.

POL. Thou art my oracle, dear Roscio.

_Enter_ PSECTAS.

Here's Psectas come again. How now, what news?

PSEC. My lord, they both are coming; please you withdraw, You shall both hear and see what you desire.

_Enter_ PHILOCLES _and_ LEUCOTHOe.

LEU. Y' are welcome, n.o.ble sir; and, did my power Answer my love, your visitation Should be more free, and your deserved welcome Express'd in better fashion.

PHIL. Best of ladies, It is so well, so excellently well, Coming from your wish'd love, my barren thanks, Want language for't! there lies in your fair looks More entertainment than in all the pomp That the vain Persian ever taught the world.

Your presence is the welcome I expected, That makes it perfect.

LEU. 'Tis your n.o.ble thought Makes good what's wanting here; but, gentle friend-- For so I now dare call you.

POL. 'Tis well, minion; you are bold enough, I see, To choose your friends without my leave. [_Aside._

PHIL. 'Tis my ambition ever to be yours.

LEU. Think me not light, dear Philocles, so soon To grant thee love, that others might have sought With eagerest pursuit, and not obtain'd.

But I was yours by fate, and long have been: Before you woo'd, Leucothoe was won, And yours without resistance.

PHIL. O my stars!

'Twas your kind influence that, whilst I slept In dullest ignorance, contriv'd for me The way to crown me with felicity.

POL. You may be deceived, though; you have no such great reason to thank your stars, if you knew all. [_Aside._

PHIL. And know, fair mistress, you have met a love, That time, nor fate, nor death can ever change; A man that but in you can have no being.

Let this kiss seal my faith.

LEU. And this mine.

POL. Nay, to't again; your sweet meat shall have sour sauce.

PHIL. But, sweet, 'mongst all these roses there's one thorn That p.r.i.c.ks and galls me; our parents' enmity Will cross our loves. I do a.s.sure myself Thy father never will give his consent.

LEU. No, so I think; he moves me still to Virro, That old craz'd count, and with such vehemency, I dare scarce 'bide his presence, if I deny him; Therefore we must be speedy in our course, And take without his leave what he denies.

POL. I thank you for that, good daughter. [_Aside._]

ROS. I told you, sir, 'twould come to this at last. [_Aside._]

PHIL. O, thou hast spoke my wishes, and hast show'd Thyself in love as good as beautiful; Then let's away, dearest Leucothoe.

My fortunes are not poor, then fear no want.

This constant love of ours may prove so happy, To reconcile our parents' enmity.

LEU. Heaven grant it may!

POL. Never by this means, youngster. [_Aside._]

LEU. But soft; now I think better on't, I'll not go.

PHIL. Why, dearest, is thy love so quickly cold?

LEU. No, but I'll not venture thee; thine is the danger.

Thou know'st 'tis death by law to steal an heir, And my dear brother's most untimely death Hath lately made me one. What, if thou shouldst be taken?

PHIL. O, fear not that; had I a thousand lives, They were too small a venture for such prize.