University of Virginia Library

The SCENE changes. Enter Viola in a Night-Gown (with a Key in one Hand, and a Casket in the other,) at a Garden-Gate which she locks after her.
Viol.
“The Night is terrible, and I enclosed
“With what my Vertue and my self hate most
“Darkness. Were it by Day I am bold enough:
“But then a thousand Eyes warn me from going.
“Why might not Heav'n have made
“A time for envying prying Folks to sleep
“Whilst Lovers met, and yet the Sun have shone?
“Yet I was bold enough to steal these Keys
“Out of my Father's Chamber, and dare yet
“Venture upon my Enemy the Night,
“Arm'd only with my Love to meet my Friend.
“Alas, how valiant, and how 'fraid at once
“Love makes a Virgin—Stay, this little Casket,
With its rich Cargo, I must hide from sight.
[Puts it in her Pocket.
And this more humble Habit best secures me
From dang'rous gazing Eyes. “Farewel my Place of Birth:
[Throws the Keys over the Wall
“For thee I'll see no more. Ye Houshold Gods!
If such there be, from you I must remove
For now my only Guardian Pow'r is Love.

[Exit.