Philaster - 2nd Folio Edition (1679)

    Enter Philaster, Arethusa, and Bellario.                [5.2]

    Are. Nay dear Philaster grieve not, we are well.
    Bell. Nay good my Lord forbear, we are wondrous well.
    Phi. Oh Arethusa! O Bellario! leave to be kind.
I shall be shot from Heaven, as now from Earth,
If you continue so, I am a man,

2070

False to a pair of the most trusty ones
That ever earth bore, can it bear us all?
Forgive and leave me, but the King hath sent
To call me to my death, Oh shew it me,
And then forget me. And for thee my boy,
I shall deliver words will mollifie
The hearts of beasts, to spare thy innocence.
Bell. Alas my Lord, my life is not a thing

[end page 35, signature F 2, catchword: Worthy]

Worthy your noble thoughts; 'tis not a life,
'Tis but a piece of child-hood thrown away:

2080

Should I out live you, I shall then out live
Vertue and honour. And when that day comes.
If ever I should close these eyes but once,
May I live spotted for my perjury,
And waste my limbs to nothing.
Are. And I (the woful'st maid as ever was,
Forc'd with my hands to bring my Lord to death
Do by the honour of a Virgin swear,
To tell no hours beyond it.
Phi. Make me not hated so.

2090

    Are. Come from this prison, all joyful to our deaths.
    Phi. People will tear me when they find you true
To such a wretch as I; I shall die loath'd.
Injoy your Kingdoms peaceably, whil'st I
For ever sleep forgotten with my faults,
Every just servant, every maid in love
Will have a piece of me if you be true.
    Are. My dear Lord say not so.
    Bell. A piece of you?
He was not born of women that can cut it and look on.

2100

    Phi. Take me in tears betwixt you,
For my heart will break with shame and sorrow.
    Are. Why 'tis well.     Bell. Lament no more.
    Phi. What would you have done
If you had wrong'd me basely, and had found
My life no price, compar'd to yours? For love Sirs,
Deal with me truly.
    Bell. 'Twas mistaken, Sir.     Phi. Why if it were?
    Bell. Then Sir we would have ask'd you pardon.
    Phi. And have hope to enjoy it?     Are. Injoy it? I.

2110

    Phi. Would you indeed? be plain.
    Bell. We would my Lord.
    Phi. Forgive me then.     Are. So, so.
    Bell. 'Tis as it should be now.
    Phi. Lead to my death.                           [Exeunt.