(As gems once lost are seldom or never found)
I should convey it with me. Sweet, good-night!
[Aside.] She bends to me: there’s my fall again.
[Exit.
Isa. He’s gone! That lightning that a while doth strike
Our eyes with amaz’d brightness, and on a sudden
Leaves us in prison’d darkness! Lust, thou art high;
My similes[212] may well come from the sky.
Anna, Anna!
Enter Anna.
Anna. Madam, did you call? 209
Isa. Follow yond stranger; prithee learn his name.
We may hereafter thank him. [Exit Anna.] How I dote!
Is he not a god
That can command what other men would win
With the hard’st advantage? I must have him,
Or, shadow-like, follow his fleeting steps.
Were I as Daphne, and he followed chase,
(Though I rejected young Apollo’s love,
And like a dream beguile his wand’ring steps;)
Should he pursue me through the neighbouring grove,
Each cowslip-stalk should trip a willing fall, 220
Till he were mine, who till then am his thrall.
Nor will I blush, since worthy is my chance:[213]
’Tis said that Venus with a satyr slept;
And how much short came she of my fair aim!
Then, Queen of Love, a precedent I’ll be,
To teach fair women learn to love of me.
Speak, music: what’s his name?
Enter Anna.
Anna. Madam, it was the worthy Count Massino.
Isa. Blest be thy tongue! The worthy count indeed,
The worthiest of the worthies. Trusty Anna, 230
Hast thou pack’d up those monies, plate, and jewels
I gave direction for?