SCENE VI.

EULINUS, HIRILDAS.

EUL. A mind content, O, 'tis a mind of pearl: A mint of golden thoughts, a heaven on earth! When eager longers meet full-butt their scope, And hopes are actuated beyond hope. So Jason joy'd, the golden fleece obtain'd; So Hercules joy'd, the golden fruit being gain'd; So Venus joy'd the golden ball to hold; So Midas joy'd when he turn'd all to gold. So, and much more, rejoic'd the Phrygian swain, When he convey'd the fairest (except mine), Which air did ever kiss. His brazen keel, Proud of her burden, slic'd the capering brine: The Tritons blew their horns, and sea-gods dance. Before, behind, about his ship they prance: The mermaids skip on high, but to compare Their dangling tresses with her silken hair-- These were but shadows of my bliss. A robe Of pure beatitude wraps me round about, Without a speck or blemish; nor can invention Wish more unto me than I have--Landora. I'm rich, free, learned, honour'd--all in this. Who dares conceive against the female sex But one base thought? Lo, here I stand their champion, And will maintain he is a beast, a devil, Begot between a bitch-wolf and an incubus. Women, all-good, all-perfect and all-gracious, Men-making creatures, angels clad in flesh; Let me adore your name!

HIR. And let me speak Why, Landora loves not you, but me in you.

EUL. But I in you enjoy Landora's love.

HIR. But she enjoys not your love, 'cause unknown.

EUL. No matter, I in you or you in me, So that I still possess my dearest dear. A paltry fancy last night in her bed Turmoil'd my thoughts, which since I shap'd in rhymes. Thus.

HIR. Prythee let's hear: I know thou art turn'd poet.

_The Dream._

Night having drawn the curtain, down I lie By one--for worse Saturnius left the sky. Slumb'ring at last, for love can hardly sleep, Straightways I dream'd, for love doth revels keep, A damsel fair, and fashion'd for delight (Our day-born objects do return at night), With flow'ry chaplet and red velvet gown, Which from her breast was fasten'd along down With rich enamell'd locks, all which one key, Whose bright gold 'bout her silver neck did play, Could open and divorce. A veil most fair (Such whiteness only Paphian doves do wear) With false light did her beauteous front improve; From this arch Cupid shot his darts of love. With gentle strain she took me by the hand (Touches in love do more than tongues command), Then leads me with an amorous smile along: He's easily led whom beauty draws, more strong Than cable ropes. An altar we descry, Where incense-frank[313] and amber fumes did fly In little rolling curls: a reverend priest, With snowy beard waving upon his breast, There kneeling did his eyes in sorrow steep. Whose passionate cry made me, though ignorant, weep. Phlegon's[314] hot breath no sooner licks up dew Than joy had dried those tears; for, lo, I view A circular room, all built with marble clear, The title, nature's storehouse. Most strange here It seem'd: I know not how we came nor whence, Nor any passage saw to get from thence. But O, the rich delight and glorious fire Which dazzled me! no heart can more desire. Here first my guide op'd her spice-breathing door: Ask what thou wilt, this is the ark of store. No vows are here repuls'd, she said. But I, Surpris'd with extreme joy and ecstasy, By chance a scorpion's tail behind her spied: Pity such beauty such a monster hide! Trembling, yet silent, doubtful what to crave; Lo! with a stink and fearful screech this brave And glorious dame doth vanish, and a dart, Which still I quake at, struck me to the heart. But waking I reviv'd, and found in bed Such sovereign balm would cure old Peleus dead.[315]

HIR. Ha, ha! your tedious dream hath made me drowsy. But hark, we must attend the funeral pomp.