Volume Iv Part 37 (1/2)

Enter _Cloris_ drest in her Night Attire, with _Frederick_ dressing himself.

_Clo._ And will you leave me now to Fears, Which Love it self can hardly satisfy?

But those, and that together sure will kill me, If you stay long away.

_Fred._ My Dear, 'tis almost day, and we must part; Should those rude Eyes 'mongst whom thou dwell'st perceive us, 'Twould prove unhappy both to thee and me.

_Clo._ And will you, Sir, be constant to your Vows?

_Fred._ Ah Cloris! do not question what I've sworn; If thou would'st have it once again repeated, I'll do't. By all that's good, I'll marry thee; By that most Holy Altar, before which we kneel'd, When first I saw the brightest Saint that e'er ador'd it; I'll marry none but thee, my dearest _Cloris_.

_Clo._ Sir, you have said enough to gain a credit With any Maid, though she had been deceiv'd By some such Flatteries as these before.

I never knew the pains of Fear till now; [Sighs.

And you must needs forgive the Faults you make, For had I still remain'd in Innocence, I should have still believ'd you.

_Fred._ Why, dost thou not, my Love?

_Clo._ Some doubts I have, but when I look on you, Though I must blush to do so, they all vanish; But I provide against your absence, Sir.

_Fred._ Make no provision, _Cloris_, but of Hope, Prepare thy self against a Wedding day, When thou shalt be a little Deity on Earth.

_Clo._ I know not what it is to dwell in Courts, But sure it must be fine, since you are there; Yet I could wish you were an humble Shepherd, And knew no other Palace than this Cottage; Where I would weave you Crowns, of Pinks and Daisies, And you should be a Monarch every _May_.

_Fred._ And, _Cloris_, I could be content to sit With thee, upon some shady River's Bank, To hear thee sing, and tell a Tale of Love.

For these, alas! I could do any thing; A Sheep-hook I could prize above a Sword; An Army I would quit to lead a Flock, And more esteem that Chaplet wreath'd by thee, Than the victorious Bays: All this I could, but, Dear, I have a Father, Whom for thy sake, to make thee great and glorious, I would not lose my Int'rest with.

But, _Cloris_, see, the unkind day approaches, And we must kiss and part.

_Clo._ Unkind it is indeed, may it prove so To all that wish its presence, And pa.s.s as soon away, That welcome Night may re-a.s.sume its place, And bring you quickly back.

_Fred._ With great impatience I'll expect that Hour, That shall conduct me in its Shades to thee; Farewel.

_Clo._ Farewel, Sir, if you must be gone. [Sighs.

_Fred._ One Kiss, and then indeed I will be gone. [Kisses her.

A new blown Rose kist by the Morning Dew, Has not more natural Sweetness.

Ah _Cloris_! can you doubt that Heart, To whom such Blessings you impart?

Unjustly you suspect that Prize, Won by such Touches and such Eyes.

My Fairest, turn that Face away, Unless I could for ever stay; Turn but a little while I go.

_Clo._ Sir, I must see the last of you.

_Fred._ I dare not disobey; adieu till Evening. [Exit.

Enter _Lucia_.

_Clo._ How now, _Lucia_; is my Father up?