Volume Iv Part 38 (1/2)

I hear some coming, and hope 'tis he-- _Pietro_, are the Horses ready? [Exit _Pietro_.

Enter _Frederick_.

_Cur._ Sir, you are welcome from _Cloris's_ Arms.

_Fred._ With much ado, I am got loose from those fair Fetters, but not from those of her Beauty; By these she still inflames me, In spite of all my humours of Inconstancy; So soft and young, so fair and innocent, So full of Air, and yet of Languishment; So much of Nature in her Heart and Eyes, So timorous and so kind without disguise: Such untaught Sweets in every part do move, As 'gainst my Reason does compel my Love; Such artless smiles, look so unorder'd too, Gains more than all the charms of Courts can do; From Head to Foot, a spotless Statue seems, As Art, not Nature, had compos'd her Limbs; So white, and so unblemish'd, oh _Curtius_!

I'm ravisht beyond Sense when I but think on't; How much more must my Surprize be, When I behold these Wonders.

_Cur._ And have you seen her, Sir, in all this Beauty?

Oh h.e.l.l! [Aside.

_Fred._ _Curtius_, I will not hide my Soul from thee; I have seen all the marvels of that Maid.

_Cur._ My Soul, learn now the Art of being disguis'd; [Aside.

--'Tis much, my Lord, that one Bred in such simple Innocence, Should learn so soon so much of Confidence: Pray, Sir, what Arts and Cunning do you use?

_Fred._ Faith, time and importunity refuse no body.

_Cur._ Is that the way? had you no other Aids?

Made you no promise to her, Sir, of Marriage?

_Fred._ Oh, yes, in abundance, that's your only bait, And though they cannot hope we will perform it, Yet it secures their Honour and my Pleasure.

_Cur._ Then, Sir, you have enjoy'd her?

_Fred._ Oh, yes, and gather'd Sweets Would make an Anch.o.r.et neglect his Vow, And think he had mistook his way to future bliss, Which only can be found in such Embraces; 'Twas hard to gain, but, _Curtius_, when once Victor, Oh, how the joys of Conquest did enslave me!

_Cur._ But, Sir, methinks 'tis much that she should yield, With only a bare promise that you'd marry her.

_Fred._ Yes, there was something more--but--

_Cur._ But, what, Sir, you are not married.

_Fred._ Faith, yes, I've made a Vow, And that you know would go as far with any other Man.

_Cur._ But she it seems forgot you were the Prince?

_Fred._ No, she urg'd that too, And left no Arguments unus'd Might make me sensible of what I did; But I was fixt, and overcame them all, Repeating still my Vows and Pa.s.sions for her, Till in the presence of her Maid and Heaven We solemnly contracted.

_Cur._ But, Sir, by your permission, was it well?

_Fred._ What wouldst thou have him do That's all on fire, and dies for an Enjoyment?

_Cur._ But having gain'd it, do you love her still?

_Fred._ Yes, yes, extremely, And would be constant to the Vows I've made, Were I a Man, as thou art of thy self; But with the aid of Counsels I must chuse, And what my Soul adores I must refuse.

_Cur._ This Pa.s.sion, Sir, Possession will destroy, And you'l love less, the more you do enjoy.

_Fred._ That's all my hope of cure; I'll ply that game, And slacken by degrees th' unworthy flame.

_Cur._ Methinks, my Lord, it had more generous been To've check'd that flame when first it did begin, E'er you the slighted Victory had won, And a poor harmless Virgin quite undone: And what is worse, you've made her love you too.