Esper. Affected modesty has much of pride;
That scarf he begged, you could not have denied;
Nor does it shock the virtue of a wife,
When given that man, to whom you owe your life.
Almah. Heaven knows, from all intent of ill 'twas free,
Yet it may feed my husband's jealousy;
And for that cause I wish it were not done.
To them Boabdelin, and walks apart.
See, where he comes, all pensive and alone;
A gloomy fury has o'erspread his face:
'Tis so! and all my fears are come to pass.
Boab. Marriage, thou curse of love, and snare of life, [Aside
That first debased a mistress to a wife!
Love, like a scene, at distance should appear,
But marriage views the gross-daubed landscape near.
Love's nauseous cure! thou cloyest whom thou should'st please;
And, when thou cur'st, then thou art the disease.
When hearts are loose, thy chain our bodies ties;
Love couples friends, but marriage enemies.
If love like mine continues after thee,
'Tis soon made sour, and turned by jealousy;
No sign of love in jealous men remains,
But that which sick men have of life—their pains.
Almah. Has my dear lord some new affliction had? [Walking to him.
Have I done any thing that makes him sad?
Boab. You! nothing: You! But let me walk alone.
Almah. I will not leave you till the cause be known:
My knowledge of the ill may bring relief.
Boab. Thank ye; you never fail to cure my grief!
Trouble me not, my grief concerns not you.
Almah. While I have life, I will your steps pursue.