Scene III
Enter Iphigene and Francelia
Fran. A peace will come, and then you must be gone;
And whether, when you once are got upon the wing,
You will not stoop to what shall rise, before ye
Fly to some lure with more temptation garnish'd,
Is a sad question.5
Iph. Can you have doubts, and I not fears? By this
The readiest and the sweetest oath [kisses her], I swear
I cannot so secure myself of you,
But in my absence I shall be in pain.
I have cast up what it will be to stand10
The governor's anger, and, which is more hard,
The love of Almerin. I hold thee now
But by thy own free grant—a slight security!
Alas! it may fall out, giving thyself,
Not knowing thine own worth or want of mine;15
Thou mayst, like kings deceiv'd, resume the gift
On better knowledge back.
Fran. If I so easily change,
I was not worth your love; and by the loss
You'll gain.20
Iph. But, when y'are irrecoverably gone,
'Twill be slight comfort to persuade myself
You had a fault, when all that fault must be
But want of love to me; and that again
Find in my much defect so much excuse,25
That it will have no worse name than discretion,
If unconcern'd [you] do cast it up—I must
Have more assurance.
Fran. You have too much already;
And sure, my lord, you wonder, while I blush,
At such a growth in young affections.30
Iph. Why should I wonder, madam?
Love, that from two breasts sucks, must of a child
Quickly become a giant.
Dunces in love stay at the alphabet:
The inspir'd know all before, and do begin35
Still higher.
Enter Waiting-Woman
Wom. Madam,
Almerin return'd has sent to kiss your hands.
I told him you were busy.
