HOR. Dangers of war and pleasures of our love.

LOR. Dangers of death, but pleasures none at all!

BEL. Let dangers go; thy war shall be with me, But such a war as breaks no bond of peace.

Speak thou fair words, I'll cross them with fair words; Send thou sweet looks, I'll meet them with sweet looks; Write loving lines, I'll answer loving lines; Give me a kiss, I'll countercheck thy kiss: Be this our warring peace, or peaceful war.

HOR. But, gracious madame, then appoint the field Where trial of this war shall first be made.

BAL. Ambitious villain, how his boldness grows!

BEL. Then be thy father's pleasant bow'r the field,-- Where first we vow'd a mutual amity.

The court were dangerous; that place is safe.

Our hour shall be when Vesper 'gins to rise, That summons home distressful travelers.

There none shall hear us but the harmless birds: Haply the gentle nightingale Shall carroll us asleep ere we be ware, And, singing with the p.r.i.c.kle at her breast, Tell our delight and mirthful dalliance.

Till then, each hour will seem a year and more.

HOR. But, honey-sweet and honourable love, Return we now into your father's sight; Dang'rous suspicion waits on our delight.

LOR. Aye, danger mix'd with jealous despite Shall send thy soul into eternal night!

Exeunt.

[ACT II. SCENE 3.]

[The Spanish court.]

Enter the KING OF SPAIN, PORTINGAL AMBa.s.sADOR, DON CIPRIAN, &c.

KING. Brother of Castille, to the prince's love What says your daughter Bel-imperia?

CIP. Although she coy it, as becomes her kind, And yet dissemble that she loves the prince, I doubt not, aye, 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 forgo my love.

KING. Then, lord amba.s.sador of Portingal, Advise thy king to make this marriage up For strengthening 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 Ciprian, And shall enjoy the moiety of his land, I'll grace her marriage with an uncle's gift, And this is it: 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.

AMBa.s.s. I'll make the motion to my 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 determine of the time.

AMBa.s.s. Wilt please your Grace command me ought beside?

KING. Commend me to the king; and so, farewell!

But where's Prince Balthazar, to take his leave?

AMBa.s.s. That is perform'd already, my good lord.

KING. Amongst the rest of what you have in charge, The prince's ransom must not be forgot: That's none of mine, but his that took him prisoner,-- And well his forwardness deserves reward: It was Horatio, our knight-marshall's son.

AMBa.s.s. Between us there's a price already pitch'd, And shall be sentwith all convenient speed.

KING. Then once again farewell, my lord!

AMBa.s.s. Farwell, my lord of Castile, and the rest!

Exit.

KING. Now, brother, you must make some little pains To win fair Bel-imperia from her will; Young virgins must be ruled by their friends.

The prince is amiable, and loves her well; If she neglect him and forgo his love, She both will wrong her own estate and ours.

Therefore, whiles I do entertain the prince With greatest pleasure that our court affords, Endeavor you to win your daughter's thought.

If she give back, all this will come to naught.

Exeunt.

[ACT II. SCENE 4.]

[HORATIO's garden.]

Enter HORATIO, BEL-IMPERIA, and PEDRINGANO.

HOR. Now that the night begins with sable wings To over-cloud the brightness of the sun, And that in darkness pleasures may be done, Come, Bel-imperia, let us to the bower, And there is safety pa.s.s a pleasant hour.

BEL. I follow thee, my love, and will not back, Although my fainting heart controls my soul.

HOR. Why, make you doubt of Pedringano's faith?

BEL. No; he is as trusty as my second self.

Go, Pedringano, watch without the gate, And let us know if any make approach.

PED. [aside] Instead of watching, I'll deserve more gold By fetching Don Lorenzo to this match.

Exit PEDRINGANO.

HOR. What means my love?

BEL. I know not what, myself; And yet my heart foretells me some mischance.

HOR. Sweet, say not so; fair Fortune is our friend, And heav'ns have shut up day to pleasure us.

The stars, thou see'st, hold back their twinkling shine And Luna hides herself to pleasure us.

BEL. Thou hast prevail'd! I'll conquer my mis...o...b.., And in thy love and counsel drown my fear.

I fear no more; love now is all my thoughts!

Why sit we not? for pleasure asketh ease.