Poems with the Muses looking-glasse: and Amyntas· By Thomas Randolph Master of Arts, and late fellow of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge.

SCEN 1.

• Damon.
• Alexis.
• Laurinda.

Dam.

LAurinda, by thy selfe, the sweetest oath That can be sworn,

Ale.

By those faire eyes, whose light Comfort my soule;

Dam.

Whose heat inflameth mine;

Ale.

Vnlesse you deigne at length to end our strife,

Da.

We both have vow'd to sacrifice our life,

Ale.

On one anothers speare.

Lau.

What shall I doe? I find an equall warre within my soule, My selfe divided; now I would say Damon, Another time Alexis, then againe Damon, and then Alexis: like a sheapheard That sees on either hand a ravenous wolfe, One snatching from his ewe a tender Lamb, The other watching for a gentle Kid, Knowes not poore soule which hand to turne to first. Now he would save his Lamb; but seeing his Kid Halfe in the jaw of death, turnes back in hast To reseue that, where viewing then his Lamb In greater danger, runs to that again; As doubtfull which to save as which to loose: So fares it now with me. But love instruct mee!

Da.

Resolve.

Ale.

Or wee'l resolve.

Lau.

No trick left yet?

Enter Dorylas.

Dor.

If ever one was pepper'd looke on mee!

Lau.

Why whats the matter?

Do.

You talke of Love and Cupid, I have been plagu'd with a whole swarme of Cupids.

Ale.

what should this meane?

Do.

I know not, but I am sure I have a thousand naturall rapiers Stick in my flesh!

Da.

The meaning of the riddle?

Ale.

The morall?

Do.

In plain tearmes I have been driving One of your swarmes of Bees, gentle Laurinda;

Lau.

The purest waxe give Damon: and, good swaine, The hony to Alexis: This is plain.

Do.

Now will the hony and the wax fall together by th'eares.

Da.

Alexis, this plain signe confirmes her grant, She gave me waxe to seale the covenant.

Do.

Well argu'd for the waxe, now for the hony.

Ale.

To me she gave the hony, that must be The sweetest, and the sweetest sweet is shee.

Do.

The hony is the sweeter argument.

Da.

But by the waxe she saies that she from none But mee will take true loves impression.

Do.

The waxe is very forward to the bargain; He would be sealing of her.

Ale.

But plain the hony speakes, no other guest But I, shall tast in her a lovers feast.

Do.

Delicious reason, my mouth waters at it▪

Dam.

The waxe must make the Taper that must light The wedded paire to bed on Hymen's night: Besides 'tis virgins waxe, by that you see To me she destinies her virginity.

Do.

Two excellent twin-arguments borne at a birth.

Ale.

And hony shewes a wedding; that must knead A cake for Hymen ere we goe to bed. Take you the waxe; the hony is for mee, There is no hony in the world but shee.

Dor.

His disputation still has some good relish in't.

Da.

I see, Alexis, all Laurinda's bees Serve but to sting us both.

Dor.

Now, what's the matter? The morall?

Lau.

See what 'tis to live a maid! Now two at once doe serve us and adore, Shee that weds one, serves him, serv'd her before.

Da.

Alexis come!

Al.

Come Damon!

Da.

Cure my feare.

Al.

There's no helpe left but in a Pelian speare!

Lau.

O stay your hands, for by my maidenhead;—

Dor.

Happy the man shall quit her of that oath.

Ale.

Most happy Dorylas!

Do.

I knew that before!

Lau.

I have protested never to disclose Which 'tis that best I love: But the first Nymph, As soone as Titan guilds the Easterne hills, And chirping birds, the Saints-bell of the day, Ring in our eares a warning to devotion.

That lucky damsell what so e're she be Shall be the Goddesse to appoint my love, To say, Laurinda this shall be your choice: And both shall sweare to stand to her award!

Both.

By fair Laurinda's hand we swear.

Lau.

Till then Be friends, and for this night it is my pleasure You sleep like friendly Rivalls arme in arme.

Both.

Thankes to the fair Laurinda!

Al.

Come Damon, you this night with me shall rest.

Da.

Wert thou but my Laurinda I were blest.

Exeunt Damon. Alexis.

Dor.

Mistresse, if they should dreame now.—

Lau.

And they should?