LOL. Truly, my lord, methinks you, being witty, should be honest.
ALPH. Nay, wench, if I were a fool, there's no question but I would be honest; but to the purpose; say, wench, shall I enjoy, shall I possess?
LOL. To enjoy my love, is not to possess my body.
ALPH. Tut, wench, they be words of one signification, and cannot be separated.
LOL. Nay, then, I should wrong my husband.
ALPH. 'Sfoot, thou shouldst but do for him as he does for the whole world. Why, an orator were a needless name, if it were not to defend wrong; then, wench, do as he doth, write by a precedent.
LOL. O, my lord, I have a husband, A man whose waking jealousy survives, And like a lion, sleeps with open eyes; That not a minute of mine hours are free From the intelligence of his secret spies. I am a very covert[167] Danae, Thorough whose roof suspicion will not let Gold showers have passage, nor can I deceive His Argus eyes with any policy: And yet I swear I love you.
ALPH. Dearest[168] affection! if thou lov'st me, as thou say'st thou dost, Thou canst invent some means for our delight. The rather sith it ever hath been said That walls of brass withstand not willing minds: And women, when they're prone, make love admir'd For quaint endeavours: come, instruct thy wit, And find some scale to our high height of bliss.
LOL. Then briefly thus, my lord. To-morrow doth the senate sit to judge Causes both criminal and of the state; Where of necessity my husband's place Must be fill'd by himself, because his tongue Must gild his clients' causes. Now if you please All that self-hour, when he is turmoiled About those serious trifles, to vouchsafe To visit me, his absence and my care Shall give us liberty of more delight. You know my meaning, and I am asham'd My love should thus betray my modesty; But make the use according to your fancy.
ALPH. This kiss [shall] leave[169] my faith with thee: farewell. Thou hast given me double glory from thy breath, Nothing shall lose me time but certain death.
PRE. Truly, Mistress Collaquintida, you are an excellent piece of sweet gall.
LOL. Well, sir, will you lead the way homeward?
PRE. To your bed-chamber, mistress, or your privy lodging? [_Exeunt._
PHIL. Night clad in black mourns for the loss of day, And hides the silver spangles of the air, That not a spark is left to light the world; Whilst quiet sleep, the nourisher of life, Takes full possession of mortality. All creatures take their rest in soft repose, Save malcontents and we accursed lovers, Whose thoughts perturbed make us passion's slaves, And rob us of the juice of happiness. Dear Mariana, shap'd in an angel's mould, Thou thrall'st my senses, and inflam'st my blood: Love's power by wisdom cannot be withstood. But see, the morning-star breaks from the east, To tell the world her great eye[170] is awak'd, To take his journey to the western vales: And now the court begins to rise with him.