The Court Gallery.
Enter Aminta followed by Alcander, Erminia and Galatea; they go out: re-enter Alcander, and stays Aminta.
Alcan. Stay, dear Aminta, do not fly so fast.
Am. Methinks,
Alcander, you should shun that Maid,
Of whose too much of kindness you’re afraid.
’Twas not long since you parted in such feud,
And swore my treatment of you was too rude;
You vow’d you found no Beauty in my eyes,
And can you now pursue what you despise? [Offers to go.
Alcan. Nay, do not leave me yet, for still your
Scorn Much better than your Absence may be borne.
Am. Well, Sir, your business, for mine requires haste.
Alcan. Say, fair Aminta, shall I never find
You’ll cease this Rigour, and be kind?
Will that dear Breast no Tenderness admit?
And shall the Pain you give no Pity get?
Will you be never touch’d with what I say?
And shall my Youth and Vows be thrown away?
You know my Passion and my Humour too,
And how I die, though do not tell you so.
Am. What arguments will you produce to prove
You love? for yet I’ll not believe you love.
Alcan. Since, fair Aminta, I did thee adore,
Alas, I am not what I was before:
My Thoughts disorder’d from my Heart do break;
And Sighs destroy my Language when I speak.
My Liberty and my Repose I gave,
To be admitted but your Slave;
And can you question such a Victory?
Or must I suffer more to make it sure?
It needs not, since these Languishments can be
Nought but the Wounds which you alone can cure.
Am. Alcander, you so many Vows have paid,
So many Sighs and Tears to many a Maid,
That should I credit give to what you say,
I merit being undone as well as they.
— No, no, Alcander, I’ll no more of that.
Alcan. Farewel, Aminta, mayst thou want a Lover,
When I shall hate both thee and thy whole Sex;
I can endure your sober Cruelty,
But do despise it clad in Jollity.
[Exeunt severally.