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THE ROYAL MISCHIEF: ACT 3, SCENE 1, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: What to conceal desire, when every
Last Line: Whose sight I have not courage to abide.
Subject(s): Desire; Fate; Love; Passion; Plays & Playwrights; Destiny


Hom. What to conceal desire, when every
Attom of me trembles with it, I'le strip
My Passion naked of such Guile, lay it
Undresst, and panting at his feet, then try
If all his Temper can resist it.
But heark the Sign, the Prince is coming, [Musick flourish.
My Love distracts me, where shall I run,
That I may gather Strength to stem this Tide
Of Joy, shou'd he now take my Senses in
Their hurry, the Rage my Passion gives, wou'd
Make my Fate more sudden, than severest
Disappointments: Coward Heart, dar'st thou not
Stand the Enjoyment of thy own Desires;
Must I then grant thee time, to Reason with.
Thy weakness, be gone, and see thou do not
Trifle Moments, more rich than all the
Blooming Years thou hast past...

Lev. By Heav'n, a greater Miracle than Heav'n can show
Not the bright Empress of the Sky
Can boast such Majesty, no artist cou'd
Define such Beauty, see how the dazling
Form gives on, she cuts the yielding Air, and
Fills the space with Glory, Respect shou'd carry
Me to Hers, but Admiration here has
Fixt my Feet unable to move.
Hom. Where shall I turn my guilty Eyes ------
I cou'd call on Mountains now to sink my Shame,
Or hide me in the clefts of untried Rocks,
Where roaring Billows shou'd outbeat Remembrance.
Love which gave Courage, till the Trial came,
That led me on to this Extravagance,
Proves much more Coward than the Heart he fills,
And like false Friends in this Extremity,
Thrusts me all Naked on to meet a Foe.
Whose sight I have not Courage to abide.





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