University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Enter Phillander and Gallatea inrag'd.
'Tis done, 'tis done, the fatal Knot is ti'de,
Erminia to Alcippus is a Bride;
Methinks I see the motions of her eyes,
And how her Virgin-brests do fall and rise:
Her bashful blush, her timorous desire,
Adding new flame to his too vigorous fire;
Whilst he the charming Beauty must embrace,
And shall I live to suffer this disgrace
Shall I stand tamely by, and he receive
That Heaven of bliss, defenceless she can give;
No Sister, no, renounce that Brothers name,
Suffers his patience to surmount his flame;
I'le reach the Victor's heart, and make him see,
That Prize he has obtain'd belongs to me.

Gal.
Ah dear Phillander, do not threaten so,
Whilst him you wound, you kill a Sister too.

Phi.
Though all the Gods were rallyed on his side,
They should too feeble prove to guard his pride.
Justice and Honour on my Sword shall sit,
And my revenge shall guide the lucky hit.

Gal.
Consider but the danger, and the crime,
And Sir remember that his life is mine.

Phi.
Peace Sister, do not urge it as a sin,
Of which the Gods themselves have guilty been:
The Gods my Sister do approve revenge
By Thunder, which 'ith' almighty Ports unhinge,
Such is their lightning when poor mortals fear,
And Princes are the Gods inhabit here;
Revenge has charms that do as powerful prove
As those of Beauty, and as sweet as love,
The force of vengeance will not be withstood
'Till it has bath'd and cool'd it self in blood.
Erminia, sweet Erminia; thou art lost
And he yet lives that does the conquest boast.

Gal.
Brother that Captive you can ne're retrive
More by the Victors death then if he live,
For she in Honour cannot him preferr,
Who shall become her Husbands Murtherer;
By safer ways you may that blessing gain
When venturing thus through blood, and death prove vain.

Phi.
With hopes already that are vain as air,
You've kept me from revenge, but not despair.
I had my self acquitted as became
Erminias wrong'd adorer, and my flame,
My Rival I had kill'd, and set her free,
Had not my Justice been disarm'd by thee.
—But for thy faithless hopes I'de murther'd him,
Even when the holy Priest was marrying them,
And offer'd up the reeking sacrifice
To th'Gods he kneel'd to, when he took my prize,
By all their Purity I would have don't,
But now I think I merit the affront:
He that his vengeance idly does defer,
His Safety more then his Success must fear:
I like that Coward did prolong my fate,
But brave revenge can never come too late.

Gall.
Brother, if you can so inhumane prove
To me your Sister, reason, and to love:
I'le let you see that I have sentiments too,
Can love and be reveng'd as well as you,
That houre that shall a death to him impart,
Shall send this dagger to Erminia's heart.

[shews a Dagger,
Phi.
—Ah Coward, how these words have made thee pale,
And fear above thy courage does prevail:
Ye Gods, why did you such a way invent.

Gall.
None else was left thy madness to prevent.

Phi.
Ah cruel Sister, I am tame becom,
And will reverse my happy Rivals doom:
Yes, he shall live, to triumph o're my Tomb:
—But yet what thou hast said I need must blame,
For if, should my resolutions prove the same,
I now should kill thee, and my life renew,
But were it brave or just to murther you:
At worst I should an unkind Sister kill,
Thou wouldst the sacred blood of friendship spill.
I kill a man that has undone my Fame,
Ravisht my Mystress, and contemn'd my Name
And Sister, one who does not thee prefer:
But thou no reason hast to injure her.
Such charmes of Innocence her eyes do dress,
As would confound the cruell'st Murtheress:
And thou art soft, and canst no horror see,
Such Actions, Sister, you must leave to me.

Gall.
The highest love no reason will admit,
And passion is above my friendship yet.

Phi.
Then since I cannot hope to alter thee,
Let me but beg that thou wouldst set me free;
Free this poor soul that such a coile does keep;
'Twill neither let me wake in peace, nor sleep.
Comfort I find, a stranger to my heart,
Nor canst thou ought of that but thus impart;
Thou shouldst with joy a death to him procure,
Who by it leaves Alcippus life secure.

Gall.
Dear brother, you out-run your patience still,
We'll neither die our selves, nor others kill;
Something I'le do that shall thy joys restore,
And bring thee back that health thou hadst before;
—We're now expected at the Banquet, where
I'de have thy eyes more Love then anger wear:
This night be cheerful, and on me depend,
On me, that am thy Sister and thy friend:
A little raise Alcippus jealousie,
And let the rest be carried on by me;
Nor would it be amiss, should you provide
A Serinade to entertain the Bride:
'Twill give him fears that may perhaps disprove
The fond opinion of his happy love.

Phi.
Though Hope be faithless, yet I cannot chuse,
Coming from thee, but credit the abuse.

Gall.
Phillander, do not you Hopes power distrust,
'Tis time enough to die, when that's, unjust.

[Exeunt.