SIR ARGENT SCRAPE, _an old covetous rich knight_. EARTHWORM, _an old miserly niggard_. MASTER FREEMAN. EUGENY, _Sir Argent Scrape's nephew_. EUPHUES (_Freeman's nephew_) _Scudmore's friend_. THEODORE, _Earthworm's virtuous son_. SCUDMORE, _supposed to be slain by Eugeny_. FRUITFUL, _the Lady Covet's chaplain_ (_Scudmore disguised_). BARNET. DOTTEREL, _a gull, married to the Lady Whimsey_. TRUSTY, _the Lady Covet's steward_. JASPER, _Earthworm's servant_. _Three neighbours of Earthworm's._ _Officers._
_The_ LADY COVET, _betrothed to Sir Argent Scrape_. MATILDA (_Earthworm's niece_), _Scudmore's love_. ARTEMIA (_Freeman's daughter_), _Eugeny's love_. _The_ LADY WHIMSEY, _married to Dotterel_.
EUG. This is the hour which fair Artemia Promis'd to borrow from all company, And bless me only with it; to deny Her beauteous presence to all else, and shine On me, poor me! Within this garden here, This happy garden once, while I was happy,[3] And wanted not a free access unto it; Before my fatal and accursed crime Had shut these gates of paradise against me; When I, without control alone might spend With sweet Artemia in these fragrant walks The day's short-seeming hours; and (ravish'd) hear Her sweet discourses of the lily's whiteness, The blushing rose, blue-mantled violet, Pale daffodil, and purple hyacinth: With all the various sweets and painted glories Of Nature's wardrobe, which were all eclips'd By her diviner beauty. But alas! What boots the former happiness I had, But to increase my sorrow?[4] My sad crime Has left me now no entrance but by stealth, When death and danger dog my vent'rous steps. But welcome danger, since thou find'st so fair A recompense as my Artemia's sight!
ART. And art thou come, my dearest Eugeny? Has thy true love broke through so many hazards To visit me? I prythee, chide my fondness, That did command thee such a dangerous task. I did repent it since, and was in hope Thou wouldst not come.
EUG. Why hop'd Artemia so? Wouldst thou not see me then? Or can the hazard Of ten such lives as mine is countervail One glance of favour from thy beauteous eyes?
ART. Why dost thou use that language to a heart, Which is thy captive, Eugeny, and lives, In nothing happy but in thee?