University of Virginia Library

SCEN. 6.

Enter Princesse, Philena.
Prin.
He cannot sure escape.

Phy.
Rather believe he must, there is a better fate
Reserv'd for so much worth. Our hopes are now
The policy as well as justice of our hearts.
You know we did discern, how o're the plain
Some hasted single; and Pylander said, they were divided.
At first you saw how fast he made his way,
Triumph and Danger waiting on his Sword.
The villains too, like dull opposing clowds,
Gave way to the fair Sun; And then Phylanter
Was on the other side.

Prin.
Alas, Phylena, Fears are so powerfull,
That in concerned breasts they govern all.

Phyl.
It is our follies that enthrones them so;
And to just wishes hopes are much more due:
Use them, dear Madam—

Prin.
I need not blush, Phylena, to confesse,
(And yet I shall, whilst I am doing it)
That I have more concern for him
Than others have. When you know this,
You will not judge your counsell then
So easie to be followed—

Phil.
Pardon me, Madam, if I confesse,
That I believ'd as much when I advis'd you.
I have had many reasons for such thoughts
From yours, though greater from his vertues.

Prin.
O Phylena, advise me how to do, not how to grieve.
I see I must be forc'd to a hard exigent,
To let him perish, or in his relief
To appear too concern'd, though not too just.

Phyl.
Your reason, Madam, will not have leave
To decide that; 'tis Love will be the judge
Of all his dangers. But now, Madam,
What is the next thing we must act?
Or must we suffer too?

Prin.
Nay, Heaven knows; I sent one to enquire.
Now—what's the matter?

[Enter a Servant.
Ser.
They say, Madam, they came for Mironault,
Who had designes upon your Highnesse.

Prin.
And have they taken him?

Ser.
No; but we hope they will.
He has left abundance hurt and dead.

Prin.
Go, be gone you fool; you are all suspitious rascalls,
Fain would be thought State-wise.

Ser.
Madam.

Prin.
Be gone, you hoping Coxcomb.
There's something more in this, Phylena.

Phyl.
I cannot guesse, unlesse it be Phylanter's jealousie,
Urg'd by your constant favours unto Mironault.

Prin.
Its possible. Hark, a noise; we shall be more inform'd.

Enter Phylanter, and, being half enter'd, speaks
Phyl.
—Escap'd—
Now by the gods your lives shall pay for all.
You dogs and Cowards—
—Madam, I humbly crave your pardon,
My passion makes me hasty, when your Cause
Gives the just anger.

Prin.
My cause, Sir?

Phyla.
Excellent Princesse, Yours; for this foul man
That seem'd to pay his duty to you,
Pore in his breast a traitorous designe
Here to surprise you; which I hearing of,
Straight hasted to prevent it, though my fate
Was too unhappy in the losse of him.

Prin.
Ha!

Phyl.
But et—

Prin.
Dost thou not blush, or blush for me at least,
That I have let thee injure Truth thus long,
And wrong'd an innocence, which never dwelt
Within thy infant-breast? Stay not to reply,
But leave me with your tumults.

[Exit.
Phyl.
Then I am lost my last stroak now I'le strike,
And strike it bravely too—Despair,
Thou ha's the noblest issues of all ill,
Which frailty brings us to, for to be worse
We fear not, and who cannot lose
Is ever a franck Gamester.
Nor will I fall alone, should he enjoy her,
I should repining dye. Envie's the vice
That never leaves us till we fall from that,
The best companion of a hastie fate:
I'le cherish it as others would a Vertue.
He that declines himself—
—when Chance or Fortune has declin'd him first,
He learns of those mean helpers to do worst.

[Exit.