Act 4 — [Scene III.][4331]

Cel. I have told you all my knowledge: since he is pleas’d To invite himself, he shall be entertain’d, And you shall be my witnesses. Mar. Who comes with him? Cel. Sir William Scentlove, that prepar’d me for The honourable encounter. I expect5 His lordship every minute.

Scent. My lord is come. Cel. He has honour’d me.

Scent. My Lord, your periwig is awry. Lord. You, sir—

Scent. You may guess at the gentleman that ’s with him. It is his barber, madam, d’ ye observe? An your ladyship wants a shaver. Hair. She is here, sir.10 I am betray’d.—Scentlove, your plot. I may Have opportunity to be reveng’d. Exit. Scent. She in the midst. Lord. She ’s fair, I must confess; But does she keep this distance out of state? Cel. Though I am poor in language to express15 How much your lordship honours me, my heart Is rich and proud in such a guest. I shall Be out of love with every air abroad, And for his grace done my unworthy house, Be a fond prisoner, become anchorite,20 And spend my hours in prayer, to reward The blessing and the bounty of this presence. Lord. Though you could turn each place you move in to A temple, rather than a wall should hide So rich a beauty from the world, it were25 Less want to lose our piety and your prayer. A throne were fitter to present you to Our wonder, whence your eyes, more worth than all They look on, should chain every heart a prisoner. Scent. ’T was pretty well come off. Lord. By your example30 I shall know how to compliment; in this, You more confirm my welcome. Cel. I shall love My lips the better, if their silent language Persuade your lordship but to think so truly. Lord. You make me smile, madam. Cel. I hope you came not35 With fear that any sadness here should shake One blossom from your eye. I should be miserable To present any object should displease you. Lord. You do not, madam. Cel. As I should account It no less sorrow, if your lordship should40 Lay too severe a censure on my freedom. I wo’ not court a prince against his justice, Nor bribe him with a smile to think me honest. Pardon, my lord, this boldness, and the mirth That may flow from me. I believe my father45 Thought of no winding-sheet when he begot me. Lord. She has a merry soul.—It will become Me ask your pardon, madam, for my rude Approach, so much a stranger to your knowledge. Cel. Not, my lord, so much stranger to my knowledge;50 Though I have but seen your person afar off, I am acquainted with your character, Which I have heard so often, I can speak it. Lord. You shall do me an honour. Cel. If your lordship will Be patient. Lord. And glad to hear my faults.55 Cel. That as your conscience can agree upon ’em; However, if your lordship give me privilege, I’ll tell you what’s the opinion of the world. Lord. You cannot please me better. Cel. Y’are a lord Born with as much nobility as would,59 Divided, serve to make ten noblemen, Without a herald; but with so much spirit And height of soul, as well might furnish twenty. You are learn’d, a thing not compatible now With native honour; and are master of65 A language that doth chain all ears,[4332] and charm All hearts, where you persuade; a wit so flowing, And prudence to correct it, that all men Believe they only meet in you, which, with69 A spacious memory, make up the full wonders: To these you have [joined][4333] valour and upon A noble cause, know how to use a sword To honour’s best advantage, though you wear[4334] none. You are as bountiful as the showers that fall Into the spring’s green bosom; as you were75 Created lord of Fortune, not her steward; So constant to the cause in which you make Yourself an advocate, you dare all dangers; And men had rather you should be their friend, Than justice or the bench bound up together.80 Lord. But did you hear all this? Cel. And more, my lord. Lord. Pray let me have it, madam. Cel. To all these virtues there is added one,— (Your lordship will remember, when I name it, I speak but what I gather from the voice85 Of others)—it is grown to a full fame That you have lov’d a woman. Lord. But one, madam? Cel. Yes, many; give me leave to smile, my lord, I shall not need to interpret in what sense; But you have show’d yourself right honourable,90 And, for your love to ladies, have deserv’d, If their vote might prevail, a marble statue. I make no comment on the people’s text,— My lord, I should be sorry to offend. Lord. You cannot, madam; these are things we owe95 To nature for. Cel. And honest men will pay Their debts. Lord. If they be able, or compound. Cel. She had a hard heart would be unmerciful, And not give day to men so promising; But you ow’d women nothing. Lord. Yes, I am100 Still in their debt, and I must owe them love, It was part of my character. Cel. With your lordship’s Pardon, I only said you had a fame For loving women; but of late, men say You have, against the imperial laws of love,105 Restrain’d the active flowings of your blood, And with a mistress buried all that is Hop’d for in love’s succession, as all beauty Had died with her, and left the world benighted! In this you more dishonour all our sex110 Than you did grace a part; when everywhere Love tempts your eye to admire a glorious harvest, And everywhere as full blown ears submit Their golden heads, the laden trees bow down Their willing fruit, and court your amorous tasting.115 Lord. I see men would dissect me to a fibre; But do you believe this? Cel. It is my wonder, I must confess, a man of nobler earth Than goes to vulgar composition, (Born and bred high, so unconfin’d, so rich120 In fortunes, and so read in all that sum Up human knowledge, to feed gloriously, And live at court, the only sphere wherein True beauty moves, nature’s most wealthy garden, Where every blossom is more worth than all125 The Hesperian fruit by jealous dragon watch’d, Where all delights do circle appetite, And pleasures multiply by being tasted,) Should be so lost with thought of one turn’d ashes. There’s nothing left, my lord, that can excuse you,130 Unless you plead, what I am asham’d to prompt Your wisdom to? Lord. What ’s that? Cel. That you have play’d The surgeon with yourself. Lord. And am made eunuch? Cel. It were much pity. Lord. Trouble not yourself, I could convince your fears with demonstration135 That I am man enough, but knew not where, Until this meeting, beauty dwelt. The court You talk’d of must be where the Queen of Love is, Which moves but with your person; in your eye Her glory shines, and only at that flame140 Her wanton boy doth light his quick’ning torch. Cel. Nay, now you compliment; I would it did, My lord, for your own sake. Lord. You would be kind, And love me then? Cel. My lord, I should be loving, Where I found worth to invite it, and should cherish145 A constant man. Lord. Then you should me, madam. Cel. But is the ice about your heart fallen off? Can you return to do what love commands?— Cupid, thou shalt have instant sacrifice, And I dare be the priest. Lord. Your hand, your lip; 150 [Kisses her.] Now I am proof ’gainst all temptation. Cel. Your meaning, my good lord? Lord. I, that have strength Against thy voice and beauty, after this May dare the charms of womankind.—Thou art, Bella Maria, unprofaned yet;155 This magic has no power upon my blood.— Farewell, madam! if you durst be the example Of chaste as well as fair, thou wert a brave one. Cel. I hope your lordship means not this for earnest; Be pleas’d to grace a banquet. Lord. Pardon, madam.—160 Will Scentlove, follow; I must laugh at you. Cel. My lord, I must beseech you stay, for honour, For her whose memory you love best. Lord. Your pleasure. Cel. And by that virtue you have now profest, I charge you to believe me too; I can165 Now glory that you have been worth my trial, Which, I beseech you, pardon. Had not you So valiantly recover’d in this conflict, You had been my triumph, without hope of more Than my just scorn upon your wanton flame; Nor will I think these noble thoughts grew first171 From melancholy, for some female loss, As the fantastic world believes, but from Truth, and your love of innocence, which shine So bright in the two royal luminaries[4335]175 At court, you cannot lose your way to chastity. Proceed, and speak of me as honour guides you. Exit Lord. I am almost tir’d.—Come, ladies, we ’ll beguile Dull time, and take the air another while. Exeunt.