Faire Em

Page 08

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.]

ACT III.

SCENE I. The Danish Court.

[Enter Mariana and Marques Lubeck.]

LUBECK. Lady, Since that occasion, forward in our good, Presenteth place and opportunity, Let me intreat your woonted kind consent And friendly furtherance in a suit I have.

MARIANA. My Lord, you know you need not to intreat, But may command Mariana to her power, Be it no impeachment to my honest fame.

LUBECK. Free are my thoughts from such base villainy As may in question, Lady, call your name: Yet is the matter of such consequence, Standing upon my honorable credit, To be effected with such zeal and secrecy As, should I speak and fail my expectation, It would redound greatly to my prejudice.

MARIANA. My Lord, wherein hath Mariana given you Occasion that you should mistrust, or else Be jealous of my secrecy?

LUBECK. Mariana, do not misconster of me: I not mistrust thee, nor thy secrecy; Nor let my love misconster my intent, Nor think thereof but well and honorable. Thus stands the case: Thou knowest from England hether came with me Robert of Windsor, a noble man at Arms, Lusty and valiant, in spring time of his years: No marvell then though he prove amorous.

MARIANA. True, my Lord, he came to see fair Blanch.

LUBECK. No, Mariana, that is not it. His love to Blanch Was then extinct, when first he saw thy face. 'Tis thee he loves; yea, thou art only she That is maistres and commander of his thoughts.

MARIANA. Well, well, my Lord, I like you, for such drifts Put silly Ladies often to their shifts. Oft have I heard you say you loved me well, Yea, sworn the same, and I believed you too. Can this be found an action of good faith Thus to dissemble where you found true love?

LUBECK. Mariana, I not dissemble, on mine honour, Nor fails my faith to thee. But for my friend, For princely William, by whom thou shalt possess The title of estate and Majesty, Fitting thy love, and vertues of thy mind-- For him I speak, for him do I intreat, And with thy favour fully do resign To him the claim and interest of my love. Sweet Mariana, then, deny me not: Love William, love my friend, and honour me, Who else is clean dishonored by thy means.

MARIANA. Borne to mishap, my self am only she On whom the Sun of Fortune never shined: But Planets ruled by retrogard aspect Foretold mine ill in my nativity.

William Shakespeare
Classic Literature Library

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