[From the “Bastard,” a Tragedy, Author Unknown, 1652.]
Lover’s Frown.
Roderiguez. Thy uncle, Love, holds still a jealous eye
On all my actions; and I am advised,
That his suspicious ears
Are still behind the hangings; that the servants
Have from him in command to watch who visits.
’Tis safest, in my judgment, in his presence
That thou forbear to cast a smile upon me;
And that, like old December, I should look
With an unpleasant and contracted brow.
Varina. What, can’st thou change thy heart, my dear, that heart
Of flesh thou gav’st me, into adamant,
Or rigid marble? can’st thou frown on me?
Rod. You do mistake me, sweet, I mean not so
To change my heart; I’ll change my countenance,
But keep my heart as loyal as before.
Var. In truth I cannot credit it, that thou
Can’st cast a frown on me; I prithee, try.
Rod. Then thus:
(he tries, and cannot; they smile on each other.)
Var. I prithee, sweet, betake thyself to school;
This lesson thou must learn; in faith thou art out.
Rod. Well, I must learn, and practice it, or we
Shall blast our budding hopes.
Var. Come, try again.
Rod. But if I try, and prove a good proficient;
If I do act my part discretely, you
Must take it as a play, not as a truth;
Think it a formal, not a real frown.
Var. I shall——
Rod. Then thus: i’faith, minion, I’ll look to thee.
(she swoons.)
Rod. Why, how now, sweet!—I did mistrust thy weakness:
Now I have learn’d my part, you are to seek.
Var. ’Faith, ’twas my weakness; when I did perceive
A cloud of rage condensed on thy brow,
My heart began to melt.——
[From “Love Tricks,” a Comedy, by James Shirley.]