Come near,
Near into the Cabinet of my Counsels:
Simplicity and patience dwell with Fools,
And let them bear those burthens, which wise men
Boldly shake off; be mine and joyn with me,
And when that I have rais'd you to a fortune,
(Do not deny your self the happy means)
You'll look on me with more judicious eyes
And swear I am most fair.
_Jam_.
What would this Woman?
The purpose of these words? speak not in riddles,
And when I understand, what you would counsel,
My answer shall be suddain.
_Viol_.
Thus then _Jamie_,
The objects of our fury are the same,
For young _Ascanio_, whom you Snake-like hug'd
(Frozen with wants to death) in your warm bosom,
Lives to supplant you in your certain hopes,
And kills in me all comfort.
_Jam_.
Now 'tis plain,
I apprehend you: and were he remov'd--
_Viol_.
You, once again, were the undoubted heir.
_Jam_.
'Tis not to be deny'd; I was ice before,
But now ye have fir'd me.--
_Viol_.
I'le add fuel to it,
And by a nearer cut, do you but steer
As I direct you, wee'l bring our Bark into
The Port of happiness.
_Jam_.
How?
_Viol_.
By _Henriques_ death:
But you'l say he's your Brother; in great fortunes
(Which are epitomes of States and Kingdoms)
The politick brook no Rivals.
_Jam_.
Excellent!
For sure I think out of a scrupulous fear,
To feed in expectation, when I may
(Dispensing but a little with my conscience)
Come into full possession, would not argue
One that desir'd to thrive.
_Viol_.
Now you speak like
A man that knows the World.
_Jam_.
I needs must learn
That have so good a Tutress: and what think you,
(_Don Henrique_ and _Ascanio_ cut off)
That none may live, that shall desire to trace us
In our black paths, if that _Octavio_
His foster Father, and the sad _Jacinta_,
(Faith pitie her, and free her from her Sorrows)
Should fall companions with 'em? When we are red
With murther, let us often bath in blood,
The colour will be scarlet.
_Viol_.
And that's glorious,
And will protect the fact.
_Jam_.
Suppose this done:
(If undiscovered) we may get for mony,
(As that you know buyes any thing in _Rome_)
A dispensation.
_Viol_.
And be married?
_Jam_.
True.
Or if it be known, truss up our Gold and Jewels,
And fly to some free State, and there with scorn--
_Viol_.
Laugh at the laws of _Spain_.
'Twere admirable.
_Jam_.
We shall beget rare children. I am rapt with
The meer imagination.--
_Viol_.
Shall it be done?
_Jam_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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