The Fatal Jealousie (1673) | Page 9

fill'd, tho' it doth all things draw: For we with
envious Eyes do others see, Who want our ills, and think they happy be,
Till we possessing what we wish'd before, Find our ills doubl'd, and so
wish for more.
_Ger._ Suppose all true which you wou'd have me fear, Ills in
possession still the greatest are: And my desires to such a height do rise,
T' attain their ends, I shou'd all else despise.
_Anto._ Since y'are resolv'd, I'le not your ends deny, But pray my
words prove false when e're you try; Though well they speak, who say
the damned State, Chiefly consists in wishing things too late:
_Eugenia's_ Father left her to my care, Which trust to end so well I did
despair: Then name the day of Marriage--
_Ger._ No delay My thoughts admit; I wish it were to day.
_Anto._ That cannot be, to Morrow I approve.
_Ger._ Time will flye slow, though Impt with wings of Love.

_Enter _Cælia_ and Eugenia._
_Cæl._ My Lord, I beg your pardon for a short interruption.
_Ger._ Madam, 'tis I have cause to beg your pardon, Thus to detain
your Lord, on's Wedding-day, A Day in Justice should be wholly yours.
_Cæl._ My Lord is happy so to be detain'd And I am alwayes happy
when he's so. But good, my Lord, your Ear--
_Whispers _Anto._ he takes a paper privately out of her pocket._
_Ger._ Madam, if you repent not what y'have said, In answer to those
Vows of my Affection, I then dare hope I may in time be happy.
_Eugen._ Tho' I ne're thought your words were further means, Then to
pass time away in Raillery; Yet were my Answers such, as if you had
Told me a real Story of your Love: And the same Answers I'le again
renew; My Will's confin'd; my Fathers last Commands Left me no
Choice but anothers will; If I were free, I then durst speak my thoughts:
But I, in all, my Brother must obey.
_Ger._ He checks your Actions only, thoughts are free, Suppose him
willing, would you favour me?
_Eugen._ But to suppose without his Will's a Crime, If I that
supposition should declare.
_Ger._ I do confess I should be loath to own That Blessing which I rate
above my Life, If 'twere bestow'd by any hands but yours; Therefore by
all your hopes I do conjure you, If you dislike my Love, Command my
silence.
_Eugen._ Interpret well my blushes, when I say I cannot find a thought
for such Commands.
_Ger._ Then I am happy 'bove the reach of Envy; For I have his
consent already granted, He nam'd the day of Marriage as you enter'd.

_Eugen._ You see, my Lord, that I had cause for fear, Since I'm
bestow'd, and my consent ne're askt. Sure my dead Father ne're design'd
it so?
_Ger._ Madam, I beg your pardon, for a truth Might well excuse your
Brother in this matter; I urg'd to him I doubted not your favour, On
which Condition he did grant me his.
_Eugen._ I shall hear further of it from himself, Till when, I beg your
pardon. [Offers to go out.
_Anto._ Sister, pray stay, for I have bus'ness with you. I know, my
Dear, you never Lov'd that Fellow, Which since you do not, though he
serves me well, Yet I'm resolv'd for this to part with him, Tho' I could
think a Pension for your Nurse, To keep her at a distance, were as well.
_Cæl._ Though now her dotage makes her want discretion, Her Love to
us was great.
_Anto._ Come, trouble not your self about it, he shall go.
_Cæl._ My Lord, I'le trouble you no further.
_Ger._ I'le wait upon you, Madam.
[Ex. _Gerar._ and _Cæl._
_Anto._ Sister, you know your Father was my Friend, And was so
confident that I was his, He trusted all your Fortunes in my hands,
Though he had Brothers Living when he Dy'd, He told you too, and left
it in his Will, That what you had was mine, if you did Marry Without
my Approbation: Is't not true?
_Eugen._ Sir, 'tis a truth I'm glad of.
_Anto._ These things your Kindred though, did call contrivance, Which
made their hatred rise so much against me, It makes a few'd betwixt our
Families, Which soon would come to Blood, but for Respect They bear
my Wife, their Cozen.

_Eugen._ Brother, I cannot answer for their Actions, My own Respects
to you were never wanting.
_Anto._ I do not deny it, Sister; and to prove I never did, nor will
deserve worse from you, If you are willing now to change your State,
And know a man preferr'd in your Election, Let him have Blood and
worth, you and your Fortune I