SCENE I.[59

[_Enter_] TELLUS.

_Tellus._ I marvel Corsites giveth me so much liberty,—all the world knowing his charge to be so high and his nature to be most strange,—who hath so ill entreated ladies of great honour that he hath not suffered them to look out (5) of windows, much less to walk abroad. It may be he is in love with me, for (Endymion, hard-hearted Endymion, excepted) what is he that is not enamour’d of my beauty? But what respectest thou the love of all the world? Endymion 10 hates thee. Alas, poor Endymion, my malice hath excepded my love, and thy faith to Cynthia quenched my affections. Quenched, Tellus? Nay, kindled them afresh; insomuch that I find scorching flames for dead embers, (15) and cruel encounters of war in my thoughts instead of sweet parleys. Ah, that I might once again see Endymion! Accursed girl, what hope hast thou to see Endymion, on whose head already are grown gray hairs, and whose life (20) must yield to nature, before Cynthia end her displeasure. Wicked Dipsas, and most devilish Tellus, the one for cunning too exquisite, the other for hate too intolerable! Thou wast commanded to weave the stories and poetries (25) wherein were showed both examples and punishments of tattling tongues, and thou hast only embroidered the sweet face of Endymion, devices of love, melancholy imaginations, and what not, out of thy work, that thou shouldst (30) study to pick out of thy mind. But here cometh Corsites. I must seem yielding and stout; full of mildness, yet tempered with a majesty: for if I be too flexible, I shall give him more hope than I mean; if too froward, enjoy less liberty 35 than I would. Love him I cannot, and therefore will practise that which is most contrary[60] to our sex, to dissemble.

_Enter_ CORSITES.

_Cor._ Fair Tellus, I perceive you rise with the lark, and to yourself sing with the (40) nightingale.

_Tellus._ My lord, I have no playfellow but fancy; being barred of all company, I must question with myself, and make my thoughts my friends. 45

_Cor._ I would you would account my thoughts also your friends, for they be such as are only busied in wondering at your beauty and wisdom; and some such as have esteemed your fortune too hard; and divers of that kind (50) that offer to set you free, if you will set them free.

_Tellus._ There are no colours so contrary as white and black, nor elements so disagreeing as fire and water, nor anything so opposite as (55) men’s thoughts and their words.

_Cor._ He that gave Cassandra the gift of prophesying, with the curse that, spake she never so true, she should never be believed, hath I think poisoned the fortune of men, (60) that uttering the extremities of their inward passions are always suspected of outward perjuries.

_Tellus._ Well, Corsites, I will flatter myself and believe you. What would you do to enjoy (65) my love?

_Cor._ Set all the ladies of the castle free, and make you the pleasure of my life: more I cannot do, less I will not.

_Tellus._ These be great words, and fit your (70) calling; for captains must promise things impossible. But will you do one thing for all?

_Cor._ Anything, sweet Tellus, that am ready for all.

_Tellus._ You know that on the lunary bank (75) sleepeth Endymion.

_Cor._ I know it.

_Tellus._ If you will remove him from that place by force, and convey him into some obscure cave by policy, I give you here the (80) faith of an unspotted virgin that you only shall possess me as a lover, and in spite of malice have me for a wife.

_Cor._ Remove him, Tellus! Yes, Tellus, he shall be removed, and that so soon as[61] thou (85) shalt as much commend my diligence as my force. I go.

_Tellus._ Stay, will yourself attempt it?

_Cor._ Ay, Tellus; as I would have none partaker of my sweet love, so shall none be (90) partners of my labors. But I pray thee go at your best leisure, for Cynthia beginneth to rise, and if she discover our love, we both perish, for nothing pleaseth her but the fairness of virginity. All things must be not only without (95) lust but without suspicion of lightness.

_Tellus._ I will depart, and go you to Endymion.

_Cor._ I fly, Tellus, being of all men the most fortunate. _Exit._ 100

_Tellus._ Simple Corsites, I have set thee about a task, being but a man, that the gods themselves cannot perform, for little dost thou know how heavy his head lies, how hard his fortune; but such shifts must women have to deceive (105) men, and under colour of things easy, entreat that which is impossible; otherwise we should be cumb’red with importunities, oaths, sighs, letters, and all implements of love, which to one resolved to the contrary are most loathsome. (110) I will in, and laugh with the other ladies at Corsites’ sweating. _Exit._