Page 200
Scene 18.
Fair Maid, stay and look upon my person.
Why, so I do.
And how do you like it?
As I like a curious built house, wherein lives a vain and self-con∣ceited owner.
And are not you in love with it?
No truly, no more than with a pencilled Picture.
Why, I am not painted.
You are by Nature, though not by Art.
And do you despise the best and curiousest Works of Na∣ture?
No, I admire them.
If you admire them, you will admire me, and if you admire me, you will yield to my desires.
There may be admiration without love, but to yield to your de∣sires, were to abuse Natures VVorks.
No, It were to enjoy them.
Nature hath made Reason in man, as well as Sence, and we ought not to abuse the one, to please the other; otherwise man would be like Beasts, following their sensualities, which Nature never made man to be; for she created Virtues in the Soul, to govern the Senses and Appetites of the Body, as Prudence, Justice, Temperance, and Conscience.
Conscience? VVhat is that, natural fear?
No, it is the tenderest part of the Soul, bathed in a holy dew, from whence repentant tears do flow.
I find no such tender Constitution, nor moist Complexion in my Soul.
That is, by reason the Fire of unlawful Love hath drunk all up, & seared the Conscience dry.
You may call it what Fire you will, but I am certain it is your Beauty that kindles it, and your Wit that makes it flame, burning with hot desires.
Pray Heaven my Virtue may quench it out again.
I am sure Nature requires a self-satisfaction, as well as a self-preservation, and cannot, nor will not be quiet without it, esteeming it beyond life.