The Works of Christopher Marlowe Volume II Part 66

_Cup._ I will, fair mother; and so play my part As every touch shall wound Queen Dido's heart. [_Exit._

_Ven._ Sleep, my sweet nephew,[480] in these cooling shades, Free from the murmur of these running streams, The cry of beasts, the rattling of the winds, Or whisking of these leaves: all shall be still, And nothing interrupt thy quiet sleep, Till I return, and take thee hence again. 340 [_Exit._

ACT III.

SCENE I.

_Enter_[481] CUPID _as_ ASCANIUS.

_Cup._ Now, Cupid, cause the Carthaginian queen To be enamour'd of thy brother's looks: Convey this golden arrow in thy sleeve, Lest she imagine thou art Venus' son; And when she strokes thee softly on the head, Then shall I touch her breast and conquer her.

_Enter_ DIDO, ANNA, _and_ IARBAS.

_Iar._ How long, fair Dido, shall I pine for thee?

'Tis not enough that thou dost grant me love, But that I may enjoy what I desire: That love is childish which consists in words. 10

_Dido._ Iarbas, know, that thou, of all my wooers,-- And yet have I had many mightier kings,-- Hast had the greatest favours I could give.

I fear me, Dido hath been counted light In being too familiar with Iarbas; Albeit the G.o.ds do know, no wanton thought Had ever residence in Dido's breast.

_Iar._ But Dido is the favour I request.

_Dido._ Fear not, Iarbas; Dido may be thine.

_Anna._ Look, sister, how aeneas' little son 20 Plays with your garments and embraceth you.

_Cup._ No, Dido will not take me in her arms; I shall not be her son, she loves me not.

_Dido._ Weep not, sweet boy; thou shalt be Dido's son: Sit in my lap, and let me hear thee sing. [CUPID _sings_.

No more, my child; now talk another while, And tell me where learn'dst thou this pretty song.

_Cup._ My cousin Helen taught it me in Troy.

_Dido._ How lovely is Ascanius when he smiles!

_Cup._ Will Dido let me hang about her neck? 30

_Dido._ I, wag; and give thee leave to kiss her too.

_Cup._ What will you give me now? I'll have this fan.

_Dido._ Take it, Ascanius, for thy father's sake.

_Iar._ Come, Dido, leave Ascanius; let us walk.

_Dido._ Go thou away; Ascanius shall stay.

_Iar._ Ungentle queen, is this thy love to me?

_Dido._ O, stay, Iarbas, and I'll go with thee!

_Cup._ An if my mother go, I'll follow her.

_Dido._ Why stay'st thou here? thou art no love of mine.

_Iar._ Iarbas, die, seeing she abandons thee! 40

_Dido._ No; live, Iarbas: What hast thou deserved, That I should say thou art no love of mine?

Something thou hast deserved.--Away, I say!

Depart from Carthage; come not in my sight.

_Iar._ Am I not king of rich Gaetulia?

_Dido._ Iarbas, pardon me, and stay a while.

_Cup._ Mother, look here.

_Dido._ What tell'st thou me of rich Gaetulia?

Am not I queen of Libya? then depart.

_Iar._ I go to feed the humour of my love, 50 Yet not from Carthage for a thousand worlds.

_Dido._ Iarbas!

_Iar._ Doth Dido call me back?

_Dido._ No; but I charge thee never look on me.

_Iar._ Then pull out both mine eyes, or let me die. [_Exit._

_Anna._ Wherefore doth Dido bid Iarbas go?

_Dido._ Because his loathsome sight offends mine eye, And in my thoughts is shrined another love.

O Anna, didst thou know how sweet love were, Full soon wouldst thou abjure this single life!

_Anna._ Poor soul, I know too well the sour of love: 60 O, that Iarbas could but fancy me! [_Aside._

_Dido._ Is not aeneas fair and beautiful?

_Anna._ Yes; and Iarbas foul and favourless.

_Dido._ Is he not eloquent in all his speech?

_Anna._ Yes; and Iarbas rude and rustical.