_D._ I need no aid from thee, sir. Nay, begone!
_R._ In kindness hear what I came here to say. In justice hear my answer to the charges 3010 Thou hast made. But first I claim my promise.
_R._ Your secretary’s place If Frederick left.
_R._ O dearest Diana, think not that I jest. I’d be thy secretary all my life, So I might only take the place which Frederick Held in thy affections.
_D._ (_rising_). In my affections! why, What means your grace, I beg?
_R._ Diana, Diana! Have I not won thee? Did I not obey thee By silence and long absence, till my life 3020 Grew desperate, and my misery made me bold To come to thee disguised? I thought that thou Perchance wert adverse to my suit for thinking I loved thee only for thy beauty’s sake,— Since at first sight I loved and only sight,— And for thy mind’s grace thou wert rightly jealous Of such a passion. Now, if I guess well, I have won some favour in these happy days....
_R._ And if thou hast dreamed thou hast loved another, ’Tis no impediment: for first this man, 3030 Whom thou hast honoured is my nearest friend; And not to have loved him were to have disregarded The only part of me thou ever knewest. But him, for very lack of loving rightly Thou hast much mistaken and wronged, and, as I think, Now for misunderstanding bearest ill-will.
_R._ Love can excuse me all. What woman judges by proprieties The man who would die for her, and who without her Regards not life? Passion atones my fault. 3041
_R._ ’Tis thus: If I am not pardoned, I am not loved; but if I am loved, I am pardoned. If thou sayst to me I never knew thee, but I know thee now, And like thee not: thy three years’love for me I count for nothing, thy devotion nothing, Thy misery nothing: thy adventure here I set against thee; and the hour thou goest I shall lose nothing: If thou canst say this, 3050 Speak ... and I promise To turn away for ever. Is that thy mind?
_R._ My love? Nay, love’s a miracle, a thing That cannot be where it seems possible, And where ’tis most incredible is most worth Our credit.
_R._ That thou didst doubt Was worthy of the greatness of my love. But now I claim thy faith. Thou mayst believe, Thou must believe. Indeed, indeed, Diana, 3060 Thou mayst believe. Look’st thou to find love strong? I have heavenly security:—devoted? I have no self but thee:—patient? I plead Three years of patience:—humble? I was content To be thy servant:—wise? I knew thee better Than thou thyself; I knew that thou must love: Or is love tender?—See my childish tears Crowd now to hear my sentence.