Thou foolish coward! flies? Erastus lives,
The fairest shap'd,[402] but foulest-minded man,
That ere sun saw within our hemisphere:
My tongue to tell my woes is all too weak,
I must unclasp me, or my heart will break;
But inward cares are most pent-in with grief,
Unclasping, therefore, yields me no relief.
Ah, that my moist and cloud-compacted brain
Could spend my cares in show'rs of weeping rain!
But scalding sighs, like blasts of boist'rous winds,
Hinder my tears from falling on the ground,
And I must die by closure of my wound.
Ah, false Erastus! how had I misdone,
That thou shouldst quit my love with such a scorn!
Enter Erastus.
Here comes the Sinon of my heart:
I'll frame myself to his dissembling art.
Erastus.
Desire persuades me on, fear pulls me back:
Tush! I will to her; innocence is bold. [Aside.
How fares Perseda, my sweet second self?
Perseda.
Well now, Erastus, my heart's only joy,
Is come to join both hearts in union.
Erastus.
And till I came, whereas my love did dwell,
My pleasure was but pain, my solace woe.