A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 05

English drama
BELL'-IMPERIA.

    Then be[109] thy father's pleasant bow'r the field,
    Where first we vow'd a[110] mutual amity;
    The court were dangerous, that place is safe:
    Our hour shall be,[111] when Vesper 'gins to rise,
    That summons home distressful[112] travellers:
    There none shall hear us but the harmless birds;
    Happily the gentle nightingale
    Shall carol us asleep, ere we be ware,
    And singing with the prickle at her breast,
    Tell our delight and mirthful[113] dalliance:
    Till then each hour will seem a year and more.

                                HORATIO.

    But, honey sweet and honourable love,
    Return we now into your father's sight,
    Dangerous suspicion waits on our delight.

                                LORENZO.

    Ay, danger mixed with jealous despite,
    Shall send thy soul into eternal night.                   [_Exeunt._

             _Enter_ KING OF SPAIN, PORTINGAL AMBASSADOR,
                          DON CYPRIAN, _&c._

                                 KING.

    Brother of Castile, to the prince's love
    What says your daughter Bell'-Imperia?

                                CYPRIAN.

    Although she coy it, as becomes her kind,
    And yet dissemble that she loves the prince;
    I doubt not, I, but she will stoop in time:
    And were she froward, which she will not be,
    Yet herein shall she follow my advice;
    Which is to love him, or forego my love.

                                 KING.

    Then, lord ambassador of Portingal,
    Advise thy king to make this marriage up,
    For strength'ning of our late-confirmed league;
    I know no better means to make us friends.
    Her dowry shall be large and liberal;
    Besides that she is daughter and half-heir
    Unto our brother here, Don Cyprian,
    And shall enjoy the moiety of his land,
    I'll grace her marriage with an uncle's gift:
    And this it is (in case the match go forward),
    The tribute, which you pay, shall be releas'd:
    And if by Balthazar she have a son,
    He shall enjoy the kingdom after us.

                              AMBASSADOR.

    I'll make the motion to my[114] sovereign liege,
    And work it, if my counsel may prevail.

                                 KING.

    Do so, my lord, and if he give consent,
    I hope his presence here will honour us,
    In celebration of the nuptial day;
    And let himself[115] determine of the time.

                              AMBASSADOR.

    Will't please your grace command[116] me aught beside?

                                 KING.

    Commend me to the king; and so farewell.
    But where's Prince Balthazar to take his leave?

                              AMBASSADOR.

    That is perform'd already, my good lord.

                                 KING.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 05

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