Volume Ix Part 61 (1/2)

Zounds, he looks as though his mother were a midwife.

SOPHOS.

Now, gentle Jove, great monarch of the world, Grant good success unto my wand'ring hopes.

CHURMS.

Now Phoebus' silver eye is drench'd in western deep, And Luna 'gins to show her splendent rays, And all the harmless quiristers of woods Do take repose, save only Philomel; Whose heavy tunes do evermore record With mournful lays the losses of her love.

Thus far, fair love, we pa.s.s in secret sort Beyond the compa.s.s of thy father's bounds, Whilst he on down-soft bed securely sleeps, And not so much as dreams of our depart The dangers pa.s.s'd, now think on nought but love; I'll be thy dear, be thou my heart's delight.

SOPHOS.

Nay, first I'll send thy soul to coal-black night. [_Aside_.]

CHURMS.

Thou promis'dst love, now seal it with a kiss.

FORTUNATUS.

Nay, soft, sir; your mark is at the fairest.

Forswear her love, and seal it with a kiss Upon the burnish'd splendour of this blade, Or it shall rip the entrails of thy peasant heart.

SOPHOS.

Nay, let me do it, that's my part.

CHURMS.

You wrong me much, to rob me of my love.

SOPHOS.

Avaunt, base braggard! Lelia's mine.

CHURMS.

She lately promis'd love to me.

FORTUNATUS.

Peace, night-raven, peace! I'll end this controversy.

Come, Lelia, stand between them both, As equal judge to end this strife: Say which of these shall have thee to his wife.

I can devise no better way than this.

Now choose thy love, and greet him with a kiss.

LELIA.

My choice is made, and here it is.

[_She kisses Sophos_.

SOPHOS.

See here the mirror of true constancy, Whose steadfast love deserves a prince's worth.

LELIA.

Master Churms, are you not well?

I must confess I would have chosen you, But that I ne'er beheld your legs till now; Trust me, I never look'd so low before.

CHURMS.

I know, you use to look aloft.

LELIA.