The forc'd marriage, or, The jealous bridegroom a tragi-comedy : as it is acted at His Highnesse the Duke of Yorks theatre
Behn, Aphra, 1640-1689.
ACT. V. SCEN. III.
Enter Phillander with the King.
Kin.
Thou'st entertain'd me with a pretty story,
And call'd up so much Nature to thy Cause,
That I am half subjected to its Laws:
I find thy lovely Mother plead within too,
And bids me put no force upon thy will;
Tells me thy flame should be as unconfin'd,
As that we felt when our two souls combin'd:
Alass, Phillander, I am old and feeble,
And cannot long survive;
But thou hast many Ages yet to number,
Of youth and vigour; and should all be wasted
In the Embraces of an unlov'd Maid:
No, my Phillander, if that after death,
Ought could remain to me of this worlds joys,
I should remember none with more delight,
Then those of having left thee truly happy.
Phi.
This goodness, Sir, resembles that of Heaven,
Preserving what it made, and can be paid
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Only with grateful praise as we do that.
Kin.
Go, carry on your innocent design,
And when you've done, the last act shall be mine.
[Exeunt.
