Chapter 25

Enter _Ismena_ and _Isabella_.

_Isab._ Nay, Madam, ‘tis in vain to deny it; Do you think I have liv’d to these years, And cannot interpret cross Arms, imperfect Replies, Your sudden Weepings, your often Sighing, Your melancholy Walks, and making Verses too? And yet I must not say that this is Love.

_Ism._ Art thou so notable a Judge of it?

_Isab._ I should be, or I am a very dull Scholar, For I have lost the foolish Boy as many Darts, As any Woman of my age in _Florence_.

_Ism._ Thou hast paid dear for thy knowledge then.

_Isab._ No, the hurt ones did, the other still made good, with very little Pain on either side.

_Ism._ I must confess, I think it is not so hard to get Wounds, as ‘tis to get them cur’d again.

_Isab._ I am not of your opinion, nor ever saw that Man who had not Faults to Cure, As well as Charms to kill.

_Ism._ Since thou’rt so good a Judge of Men, Prithee tell me how thou lik’st _Alberto_.

_Isab._ I knew ‘twould come to this-- [Aside. Why, well, Madam.

_Ism._ No more than so?

_Isab._ Yes, wondrous well, since I am sure he loves you, And that indeed raises a Man’s Value.

_Ism._ Thou art deceiv’d, I do not think he loves me.

_Isab._ Madam, you cannot but see a thousand Marks on’t.

_Ism._ Thou hast more Skill than I; But prithee why does he not tell me so himself?

_Isab._ Oh Madam, whilst he takes you for _Clarina_, ‘Twould shew his disrespect to tell his Love? But when he knows _Ismena_ is the Object, He’ll tire you with the wish’d for story.

_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 Passion, not My Friendship taught; A Passion 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 Passion 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 Passion more, And his Injustice taught me to adore: But ‘tis a Passion 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 Passion 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 Courtship-- [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.

_Ism._ Love you, and what would be the end of that?

_Alb._ I cannot tell, but wish you were inclin’d To make a tryal, Madam; I have no thought or wish beyond that Blessing, And that once gain’d, sure I should ask no more.

_Ism._ Were I inclin’d to this, have you consider’d The fatal Consequences which attend The breach of Vows and Friendship?

_Alb._ Madam, _Antonio_ first was false to you, And not to punish that were such a Virtue As he would never thank you for; By all that’s good, till he prov’d so to you, He had my Soul in keeping; But this act makes me resolve To recompense his Folly.

_Ism._ You’ve found the easiest Passage to my Heart, You’ve took it on the weakest side; --But I must beg you will pretend no further.

_Alb._ Divine _Clarina_, let me pay my thanks In this submissive Posture, and never rise, [Kneels. Till I can gain so much upon your Credit, As to believe my Passion tends no farther Than to adore you thus--and thus possess you. [Kisses her hand, and bows.

_Ism._ Have not I dissembled finely, _Isabella_? [Aside.

_Isab._ Yes, if you could make me believe ‘tis so. [Aside.

_Ism._ Rise, Sir, and leave me, that I may blush alone For what I’ve parted with so easily; Pray do not visit me again too soon, --But use your own discretion, and be secret.

_Alb._ Madam, the blessed Secret here is lodg’d, Which Time shall ne’er reveal to human Knowledge. [Ex. _Alb._

_Ism._ I’m glad he’s gone before _Antonio’s_ return.

Enter _Laura_ weeping.

--What, _Laura_, all in Tears! the reason, pray.

_Lau._ Madam, the Prince, conducted by my Brother, About an Hour since made me a Visit; The Man of all the World I would have shun’d, Knowing his amorous and inconstant Temper. --At his approach he blusht and started back, And I with great amazement did the like. With fear I lost all power of going from him. As he had done of making his Address; He gaz’d and wonder’d, and I gaz’d on him, And from his silence I became amaz’d. --My Brother stood confounded at our Postures, And only by the motion of his Head (Which now he turn’d to me, then on the Prince) We knew that he had Life.

_Ism._ Well, how recover’d ye?

_Lau._ The Prince then kneel’d, but could approach no nearer; And then as if he’d taken me for some Deity, He made a long disorder’d amorous Speech, Which brought me back to Sense again: But _Lorenzo_ told him that I was a Mortal, And brought him nearer to me, Where he began to make such Vows of Love--

_Ism._ What then?

_Lau._ Then I am ruin’d-- To all I said he found a contradiction, And my denials did but more inflame him; I told him of the Vows I’ad made to _Curtius_, But he reply’d that _Curtius_ was a Subject. But sure at last I’d won upon his Goodness, Had not my Father enter’d, To whom the Prince addrest himself; And with his moving tale so won upon him, Or rather by his Quality, That he has gain’d his leave to visit me, And quite forbids me e’er to speak to _Curtius_.

_Ism._ Alas the day, is this all?

_Lau._ All! can there be more to make me miserable?

_Ism._ I see no reason thou hast to complain: Come, wipe your Eyes, and take a good Heart; For I’ll tell thee a Story of my own, That will let thee see I have much more cause to weep; And yet I have a thousand little Stratagems In my Head, which give me as many hopes: This unlucky restraint upon our Sex, Makes us all cunning; and that shall assist thee now With my help, I warrant thee; Come in with me, and know the rest.

[Exeunt.

_Isab._ So, so, disguise it how you will, I know you are a real Lover; And that secret shall advance my Love-design. Yes, Madam, now I will be serv’d by you, Or you shall fail to find a Friend of me. [Ex. _Isab._