Chapter 7
Manchester. The Mill.
[Enter Em sola.]
EM. Jealousy, that sharps the lovers sight, And makes him conceive and conster his intent, Hath so bewitched my lovely Manvils senses That he misdoubts his Em, that loves his soul; He doth suspect corrivals in his love, Which, how untrue it is, be judge, my God! But now no more--Here commeth Valingford; Shift him off now, as thou hast done the other.
[Enter Valingford.]
VALINGFORD. See how Fortune presents me with the hope I lookt for. Fair Em!
EM. Who is that?
VALINGFORD. I am Valingford, thy love and friend.
EM. I cry you mercy, Sir; I thought so by your speech.
VALINGFORD. What aileth thy eyes?
EM. Oh blind, Sir, blind, stricken blind, by mishap, on a sudden.
VALINGFORD. But is it possible you should be taken on such a sudden? Infortunate Valingford, to be thus crost in thy love! Fair Em, I am not a little sorry to see this thy hard hap. Yet nevertheless, I am acquainted with a learned Phisitian that will do any thing for thee at my request. To him will I resort, and enquire his judgement, as concerning the recovery of so excellent a sense.
EM. Oh Lord Sir: and of all things I cannot abide Phisicke, the very name thereof to me is odious.
VALINGFORD. No? not the thing will do thee so much good? Sweet Em, hether I cam to parley of love, hoping to have found thee in thy woonted prosperity; and have the gods so unmercifully thwarted my expectation, by dealing so sinisterly with thee, sweet Em?
EM. Good sir, no more, it fits not me To have respect to such vain fantasies As idle love presents my ears withall. More reason I should ghostly give my self To sacred prayers for this my former sin, For which this plague is justly fallen upon me, Then to harken to the vanities of love.
VALINGFORD. Yet, sweet Em, Accept this jewell at my hand, which I Bestowe on thee in token of my love.
EM. A jewell, sir! what pleasure can I have In jewels, treasure, or any worldly thing That want my sight that should deserne thereof? Ah, sir, I must leave you: The pain of mine eyes is so extreme, I cannot long stay in a place. I take my leave.
[Exit Em.]
VALINGFORD. Zounds, what a cross is this to my conceit! But, Valingford, search the depth of this devise. Why may not this be fained subteltie, by Mountneys invention, to the intent that I seeing such occasion should leave off my suit and not any more persist to solicit her of love? I’ll try the event; if I can by any means perceive the effect of this deceit to be procured by his means, friend Mountney, the one of us is like to repent our bargain.
[Exit.]