Fra. And though I love ye above the light shines on me,
Beyond the wealth of Kingdoms, free content,
Sooner would snatch at such a blessing offer'd
Than at my pardon'd life by the law forfeited,
Yet, yet O noble Beauty, yet O Paradise
For you are all the wonder reveal'd of it,
Yet is a gratitude to be preserv'd,
A worthy gratitude to one most worthy
The name, and nobleness of friends.
Cell. Pray tell me
If I had never known that Gentleman,
Would not you willingly embrace my offer?
Fra. Do you make a doubt?
Cell. And can ye be unwilling
He being old and impotent? his aim too
Levell'd at you, for your good? not constrain'd,
But out of cure, and counsel? Alas consider,
Play but the Woman with me, and consider
As he himself does, and I now dare see it,
Truly consider, Sir, what misery.
Fra. For vertues sake take heed.
Cell. What loss of youth,
What everlasting banishment from that
Our years do only covet to arrive at,
Equal affections [texts blank] and shot together:
What living name can dead age leave behind him,
What art of memory but fruitless doating?
Cell. To you unless ye apply it
With more and firmer faith, and so digest it,
I speak but of things possible, not done
Nor like to be, a Posset cures your sickness,
And yet I know ye grieve this; and howsoever
The worthiness of friend may make ye stagger,
Which is a fair thing in ye, yet my Patient,
My gentle Patient, I would fain say more
If you would understand.
Val. O cruel Woman.
Cell. Yet sure your sickness is not so forgetful,
Nor you so willing to be lost.