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Lady Frances [moving away from him again.
Con cure it. In good sooth, he frightens me!
Rochester [aside.]⁠'Tis flattering!
[Aloud, with clasped hands and in a tone of supplication.
'Tis flattering! O my divinity!
My nymph! my goddess! and my all in all!
Lady Frances [in terror.
What names are these? My name is Frances, sir.
Rochester.⁠Princess, for you I burn and freeze at once!
In this disguise Love leads me to your side;
I am no parson, but a loyal knight.
Would I the sceptre of the Hindoos had
To offer you. Oh! can it be, in sooth,
That you, with eyes so soft and merciful,
Will be as cruel to a love like mine,
So tender and so true for twelve long years,
As Ophis was to Tiridates?—Ah!
You fly, you do not answer, heartless one!
This love which weighs me down will be my death.
My charming tigress, but a single word,
And of your thrice blest slave's most constant love,
You'll ever the celestial object be!
Lady Frances [staring at him in amazement.
In Heaven's name, what says he?
Rochester [aside.] In Heaven's name, what says he? Excellent!
I verily believe that she's entranced!
My speech is taken, almost word for word,
From that addressed to Zulmis by Lysander
In "Ibrahim or the Illustrious Bassa."
It is pure Scudéry.—Let us go on.
[Aloud.] Ungrateful!
[Detaining Frances, who again seems disposed to retire.
Ungrateful! Stay or I will drown myself
In the Euphrates!