Flor. Oh, shew me quickly, where's Castalio. 220 She flies with fury over all the house, purpose, Cast. I cannot hear Monimia's soul's in sadness, Till through the panting breast she finds the way oh! SCENE II. A Chamber. Enter MONIMIA. Mon. Stand off, and give me room, I will not rest till I have found Castalio, Flowers spring up where-e'er he treads, his eyes CASTALIO within. Cast. Who talks of dying with a voice so sweet, That life's in love with it ? Mon. Hark! 'tis he that answers. "So, in a camp, though at the dead of night, Cast. [Entering.] Here, my love. Mon. No nearer, lest I vanish. Cast. Have I been in a dream, then, all this while? And art thou but the shadow of Monimia ? Why dost thou fly me thus ? Mon. Oh, were it possible that we could drown In dark oblivion but a few past hours, We might be happy. Cast. Is't then so hard, Monimia, to forgive A fault, where humble love like mine, implores thee? For I must love thee, though it prove my ruin. 261 Which way shall I court thee? What shall I do to be enough thy slave, And satisfy the lovely pride that's in thee? Heal it again, and comfort me with love. Mon. If I am dumb, Castalio, and want words Mon. Ah! alas, thou talk'st Just as thy poor heart thinks! Have not I wrong'd thee? Cast. No. Mon. Still thou wander'st in the dark, Castalio; But wilt, ere long, stumble on horrid danger. "Cast. What means my love? "Mon. Could'st thou but forgive me "Cast. What? 280 "Mon. For my fault last night: alas, thou can'st not! "Cast. I can, and do. "Mon. Thus crawling on the earth, "Would I that pardon meet; the only thing "Can make me view the face of Heav'n with hope. "Cast. Then, let's draw near. "Mon. Ah, me! "Cast. So, in the fields, "When the destroyer has been out for prey, "The scatter'd lovers of the feather'd kind, "Seeking, when danger's past, to meet again, "Make moan, and call, by such degrees approach; ""Till joining thus, they bill, and spread their wings, "Murmuring love, and joy their fears are over. "Mon. Yet, have a care; be not too fond of peace, "Lest, in pursuance of the goodly quarry, "Thou meet a disappointment that distracts thee." Cast. My better angel, then do thou inform me, What danger threatens me, and where it lies: 300 Why didst thou (pr'ythee smile, and tell me why) When I stood waiting underneath the window, Quaking with fierce and violent desires; The dropping dews fell cold upon my head, Deaf to my cries, and senseless of my pains? Mon. Did I not beg thee to forbear inquiry? Read'st thou not something in my face, that speaks Wonderful change, and horror from within me ? Cast. Then there is something yet which I've not known: What dost thou mean by horror and forbearance Cast. If, lab'ring in the pangs of death, Thou would'st do any thing to give me ease; Unfold this riddle ere my thoughts grow wild, And let in fears of ugly form upon me. 320 Mon. My heart won't let me speak it; but remember, Monimia, poor Monimia, tells you this, We ne'er must meet again Cast. "What means my destiny? "For all my good or evil fate dwells in thee?" Ne'er meet again! Mon. No, never. Cast. Where's the power On earth, that dare not look like thee, and say so? A long and painful, faithful slav'ry for thee: you. Heav'n has decreed, and therefore I'm resolv'd (With torment I must tell it thee, Castalio) Ever to be a stranger to thy love; In some far distant country waste my life, Cast. Where am I? Sure I wander 'midst enchant ment, And never more shall find the way to rest; "But, oh, Monimia! art thou indeed resolv'd 340 |