Page 197 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

With absolute Marina. So
With dove of Paphos might the crow
Vie feathers white. Marina gets
All praises, which are paid as debts,

And not as given. This so darks [35]
In Philoten all graceful marks
That Cleon’s wife, with envy rare,
A present murderer does prepare

For good Marina, that her daughter
Might stand peerless by this slaughter. [40]
The sooner her vile thoughts to stead,
Lychorida, our nurse, is dead,

And cursèd Dionyza hath
The pregnant instrument of wrath
Prest for this blow. The unborn event [45]
I do commend to your content.

Only I carried wingèd time
Post on the lame feet of my rhyme,
Which never could I so convey
Unless your thoughts went on my way. [50]

Dionyza does appear
With Leonine, a murderer.
Exit.

Scene I IT

Enter Dionyza with Leonine.

DIONYZA
Thy oath remember. Thou hast sworn to do’t.
’Tis but a blow, which never shall be known.
Thou canst not do a thing in the world so soon

To yield thee so much profit. Let not conscience,
Which is but cold, inflaming love in thy bosom, [5]
Inflame too nicely; nor let pity, which
Even women have cast off, melt thee, but be

A soldier to thy purpose.