Rob. In the swan’s down, and tomb thee in mine arms! 80
Isa. Then folks shall pray in vain to send me rest.
Away, you’re such another meddling lord!
Rob. By heaven! my love’s as chaste as thou art fair,
And both exceed comparison. By this kiss,
That crowns me monarch of another world
Superior to the first, fair, thou shalt see
As unto heaven my love, so unto thee!
Isa. Alas!
Poor creatures, when we are once o’ the falling hand,
A man may easily come over us. 90
It is as hard for us to hide our love
As to shut sin from the Creator’s eyes.
I’faith, my lord, I had a month’s mind[137] unto you,
As tedious as a full-riped[138] maiden-head;
And, Count of Cyprus, think my love as pure
As the first opening of the blooms in May:
(You’re virtuous, man;[139] nay, let me not blush to say so:)
And see for your sake thus I leave to sorrow.
Begin this subtile conjuration with me,
And as this taper, due unto the dead, 100
I here extinguish, so my late-dead lord
I put out ever from my memory,
That his remembrance may not wrong our love,
[Puts out the taper.
As bold-faced women, when they wed another,
Banquet their husbands with their dead loves’ heads.
Rob. And as I sacrifice this to his ghost,
With this expire all corrupt thoughts of youth,
That fame-insatiate devil jealousy,
And all the sparks that may bring unto flame,
Hate betwixt man and wife, or breed defame. 110
[Puts out the other taper.
Re-enter[140] Mizaldus and Guido.