Enter Philaster.                                    [4.3]   1610     Phi. Oh, that I had been nourished in these woods With Milk of Goats, and Acorns, and not known The right of Crowns, nor the dissembling Trains Of Womens looks; but dig'd my self a Cave, Where I, my Fire, my Cattel, and my Bed Might have been shut together in one shed; And then had taken me some Mountain Girl, Beaten with Winds, chast as the hardened Rocks Whereon she dwells; that might have strewed my Bed With leaves, and Reeds, and with the Skins of beasts 1620 Our Neighbours; and have born at her big breasts       (on My large course issue. This had been a life free from vexati       Enter Bellario.       Bell. Oh wicked men! An innocent man may walk safe among beasts, Nothing assaults me here. See, my griev'd Lord Sits as his soul were searching out a way, To leave his body. Pardon me that must Break thy last commandment; For I must speak; You that are griev'd can pity; hear my Lord. 1630     Phi. Is there a Creature yet so miserable, That I can pity?     Bell. Oh my Noble Lord, View my strange fortune, and bestow on me, According to your bounty (if my service Can merit nothing) so much as may serve To keep that little piece I hold of life From cold and hunger.     Phi. Is it thou? be gone: Go sell those misbeseeming Cloaths thou wear'st, And feed thy self with them.     Bell. Alas! my Lord, I can get nothing for them: 1640 The silly Country people think 'tis Treason To touch such gay things     Phi. Now by my life this is Unkindly done, to vex me with thy sight, Th'art faln again to thy dissembling trade: How should'st thou think to cozen me again? Remains there yet a plague untri'd for me? Even so thou wept'st and spok'st when first I took thee up; curse on the time. If thy Commanding tears can work on any other, 1650 Use thy art, I'le not betray it. Which way [end page 32 (misnumbered 34), signature [E4v], catchword: Wilt] Wilt thou take, that I may shun thee; For thine eyes are poyson to mine; and I Am loth to grow in rage. This way, or that way?     Bell. Any will serve. But I will chuse to have That path in chase that leads unto my grave.            Exeunt Phil. and Bell. severally.   © Twilight Pictures, March 2001. This text is freely available for educational, non-profit uses only. Please report any errors or suggestions to Drew Whitehead.