Tec. Ah, Orgilus, Neglects in young men of delights and life, At odds with nature, that I grudge the thrift Tec. Spirit of truth inspire thee! On these conditions I conceal thy change, Org. I to contemplations, [Exit. In these delightful walks.-Thus metamorphosed, I may without suspicion hearken after Penthea's usage, and Euphranea's faith. Love, thou art full of mystery! the deities Themselves are not secure,' in searching out The secrets of those flames, which, hidden, waste A breast, made tributary to the laws Themselves are not secure.] i. e. sure, certain: they cannot depend on the results of their own omniscience in these inquiries. Of beauty; physic yet hath never found Ha! who are those that cross you private walk Into the shadowing grove, in amorous foldings? PROPHILUS and EUPHRANEA pass by, arm in arm, and whispering. My sister; O, my sister! 'tis Euphranea Is Ithocles his friend: it strangely puzzles me. Re-enter PROPHILUS and EUPHRANEA. Again! help me my book; this scholar's habit [Walks aside, pretending to read. Pro. Do not waste The span of this stolen time, lent by the gods 8 For precious use, in niceness. Bright Euphranea, Should I repeat old vows, or study new, For purchase of belief to my desires,— Org. Desires! Pro. My service, my integrity.— Org. That's better. Pro. I should but repeat a lesson Oft conn'd without a prompter, but thine eyes: My love is honourable.— 8 Do not waste The span of this stolen time, lent by the gods For precious use, in niceness.] i. e. in unnecessary pre ciseness; in starting trivial and unimportant objections. To Org. So was mine my Penthea; chastely honourable. Pro. Nor wants there more addition to my wish Of happiness, than having thee a wife; Already sure of Ithocles, a friend Org. But a brother More cruel than the grave. Euph. What can you look for Org. Hold out, Euphranea! Euph. Know, Prophilus, I never undervalued, Lives nearest in my heart, must first procure Org. She is foresworn else. Pro. Leave me that task. Euph. My brother, ere he parted To Athens, had oath. my Org. Yes, yes, he had sure. Pro. I doubt not, with the means the court supplies, But to prevail at pleasure. Org. Very likely! Pro. Meantime, best, dearest, I may build my hopes On the foundation of thy constant sufferance, Euph. Death shall sooner Divorce life, and the joys I have in living, Than my chaste vows from truth. Pro. On thy fair hand I seal the like. Org. There is no faith in woman. Passion, O be contain'd!-my very heart-strings Are on the tenters. Euph. We are overheard.' Cupid protect us! 'twas a stirring, sir, Of some one near. Pro. Your fears are needless, lady; None have access into these private pleasures, By special favour lately from the king 66 Euph. We are overheard.] The 4to reads, Sir, we are overheard," which destroys both metre and rhythm. From the manner in which this is printed in the old copy, I am almost persuaded that the original stood thus: "We are overheard, sir. Cupid protect us! 'twas a stirring, sure, Of some one near." Euph. Methinks I hear one talking to himself—I see him. Answer to that.-Your art! what art? to catch Pro. Observe him, sweet; 'tis but his recreation. Org. But will you hear a little? You are so tetchy, You keep no rule in argument; philosophy But natural conclusions.-Mew!-absurd! As not mixt perfectly, in the air engender'd, - Prove it; yet, with a reverence to your gravity, I'll baulk illiterate sauciness, submitting My sole opinion to the touch of writers. Pro. Now let us fall in with him. [They come forward. |