Volume Iv Part 43 (2/2)

_Ism._ Ah, thou art a pleasing Flatterer.

Enter _Page_.

_Page._ Madam, _Alberto_ is without.

_Ism._ Tell him I'm indispos'd, and cannot see him now.

_Isab._ Nay, good Madam, see him now by all means, For I am sure my Lord _Antonio_ is absent on purpose.

--Bid him come in, Boy. [Exit _Page_.

Enter _Alberto_.

_Ism._ _Antonio_, Sir, is not return'd.

_Alb._ Madam, this Visit was not meant to him, But by a Cause more pressing I am brought, Such as my Pa.s.sion, not My Friends.h.i.+p taught; A Pa.s.sion which my Sighs have only shewn, And now beg leave my bashful Tongue may own.

The knowledge, Madam, will not much surprise, Which you have gain'd already from mine Eyes; My timorous Heart that way my Tongue would spare, And tells you of the Flames you've kindled there: 'Tis long I've suffered under this Constraint, Have always suffer'd, but ne'er made Complaint; And now against my will I must reveal What Love and my Respect would fain conceal.

_Ism._ What mean you, Sir? what have you seen in me, That should encourage this temerity?

_Alb._ A world of Beauties, and a world of Charms, And every Smile and Frown begets new harms; In vain I strove my Pa.s.sion to subdue, Which still increas'd the more I look'd on you; Nor will my Heart permit me to retire, But makes my Eyes the convoys to my Fire, And not one Glance you send is cast away.

_Ism._ Enough, my Lord, have you nought else to say?

The Plot's betray'd, and can no further go; [Smiles.

The Stratagem's discover'd to the Foe; I find _Antonio_ has more Love than Wit, And I'll endeavour too to merit it.

_Alb._ What you have said, I do confess is true, _Antonio_ beg'd I would make love to you; But, Madam, whilst my heart was unconfin'd, A thousand ways the Treachery I declin'd-- But now, _Clarina_, by my Life I swear, It is my own concern that brings me here: Had he been just to you, I had suppress'd The Flames your Eyes have kindled in my Breast; But his Suspicion rais'd my Pa.s.sion more, And his Injustice taught me to adore: But 'tis a Pa.s.sion which you may allow, Since its effects shall never injure you.

_Ism._ You have oblig'd me, Sir, by your Confession, And I shall own it too at such a rate, As both becomes my Duty to _Antonio_, And my Respect to you; but I must beg You'll never name your Pa.s.sion to me more, That guilty Language, Sir, I must not hear: --And yet your silence kills me. [Aside.

_Isab._ Very well dissembled. [Aside.

_Alb._ I can obey you, Madam, though I cannot live, Whilst you command me silence; For 'tis a Flame that dares not look abroad To seek for pity from another's Eyes.

_Ism._ How he moves me! if this were real now, Or that he knew to whom he made this Courts.h.i.+p-- [Aside.

_Alb._ Oh, do not turn away as if displeas'd.

_Ism._ No more, you've discompos'd my thoughts; Be gone, and never let me see thy Face again.

_Alb._ Madam, I go, and will no more offend you, --But I will look my last--farewel. [Offers to go.

_Isab._ Pray, Madam, call him back, he may be desperate.

--My Lord, return--

_Ism._ _Alberto_, tell me what you'd have me do.

_Alb._ Ah, Madam, do not put me to my choice, For Lovers are unreasonable; If I might name it, I would have you love me.

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