Enter Lord TOUCHWOOD. Cyn. My lord, musing! Ld. 7. He has a quick invention, if this were suddenly designed-Yet he says he had prepared my chaplain already. Cyn. How is this! Now I fear, indeed. Ld. T. Cynthia here! Alone, fair cousin, and me. lancholy? Cyn. Your lordship was thoughtful. Ld. T. My thoughts were on serious business, not worth your hearing. Cyn. Mine were on treachery concerning you, and may be worth your hearing. Ld. T. Treachery concerning me! Pray, be plain Hark! What noise! Mask. [Within.] Will you not hear me? L. T. [Within.] No, monster! Traitor! No. Cyn. My lady and Maskwell! This may be lucky--My lord, let me intreat you to stand behind this screen, and listen; perhaps this chance may give you proof of what you never could have believed from my suspicions. and Enter Lady TOUCHWOOD, with a dagger, MASKWELL: Cynthia and Lord Touchwood ab. scond, listening. L. T. You want but leisure to invent fresh falsehood, and sooth me to a fond belief of all your fic. tions; but I will stab the lie that 's forming in your heart, and save a sin in-pity to your soul. Mask. Strike then-since you will have it so. Mask. Come, why do you dally with me thus ? “ L. T. Thy stubborn temper shocks me, and you « know it would————————This is cunning all, and not courage; no, I know thee well-But thou shalt "miss thy aim.” Mask. Ha, ha, ha. L. T. Ha! Do you mock my rage? Then this shall punish your fond, rash contempt! Again smile! [Goes to strike. And such a smile as speaks in ambiguity! Ten thousand meanings lurk in each corner of that various face. O! that they were written in thy heart, That I, with this, might lay thee open to my sight! But then 'twill be too late to know—— Thou hast, thou hast found the only way to turn my rage; too well thou knowest my jealous soul could never bear uncertainty. Speak then, and tell meYet are you silent? Oh, I am wildered in all passions! But thus my anger melts. [Weeps.] Here, take this poinard, for my very spirits faint, and I want strength to hold it, thou hast disarmed my soul. [Gives the dagger. Ld. T. Amazement shakes me-Where will this end? Mask. So, 'tis well-let your wild fury have a vent, and when you have temper, tell me. Enter Lord TOUCHWOOD. Cyn. My lord, musing! Ld. 7. He has a quick invention, if this were suddenly designed-Yet he says he had prepared my chaplain already. Cyn. How is this! Now I fear, indeed. Ld. T. Cynthia here! Alone, fair cousin, and melancholy? Cyn. Your lordship was thoughtful. Ld. T. My thoughts were on serious business, not worth your hearing. Cyn. Mine were on treachery concerning you, and may be worth your hearing. Ld. T. Treachery concerning me! Pray, be plain -Hark! What noise! Mask. [Within.] Will you not hear me? L. T. [Within.] No, monster! Traitor! No. Cyn. My lady and Maskwell! This may be lucky-.. My lord, let me intreat you to stand behind this screen, and listen; perhaps this chance may give you proof of what you never could have believed from my suspicions. Enter Lady TOUCHWOOD, with a dagger, and MASKWELL: Cynthia and Lord Touchwood ab. scond, listening. L. T. You want but leisure to invent fresh falsehood, and sooth me to a fond belief of all your fictions; but I will stab the lie that's forming in your heart, and save a sin in-pity to your soul. L. 1. Now, now, now I am calm, and can hear you. Mask. [Aside.] Thanks, my invention: and now I have it for you.First tell me, what urged you to this violence? For your passion broke out in such imperfect terms, that yet I am to learn the cause. 1.. T. My lord himself, surprized me with the news, you were to marry Cynthia-That you had owned your love to him, and his indulgence would assist you to attain your ends. Cyn. How, my lord! Ld. T. Pray forbear all resentments for a while, and let us hear the rest. Mask. I grant you in appearance all is true; I seemed consenting to my lord; nay, transported with the blessing-But could you think that I, who had been happy in your loved embraces, could e'er be fond of inferior slavery? Cyn. Nay, good my lord, forbear resentment, let us hear it out. Ld. T. Yes, I will contain, though I could burst. Mask. I that had wantoned in the rich circle of your world of love, could be confined within the puny province of a girl? No-Yet tho' I dote on each last favour more than all the rest, though I would give a limb for every look you cheaply throw away on any other object of your love; yet so far I prize your pleasures o'er my own, that all this seeming plot that I have laid, has been to gratify your taste, and cheat the world, to prove a faithful rogue to you. |