University of Virginia Library

SCENE. III.

Enter Alcippus and Erminia, as in a Bed-Chamber.
Alcip.
But still methinks Erminia you are sad
A heavyness appears in those faire eyes,
As if your soul were agitating something
Contrary to the pleasure of this night.

Er.
You ought in Justice Sir t'excuse me here,
Prisoners when first committed are less gay,
Then when they're us'd to Fetters every day,
But yet in mine they will more easie grow.

Alcip.
You strangely bless me in but saying so.

Er.
Alcippus I've an humble suit to you.

Alcip.
All that I have is so entirely thine,
And such a Captive thou hast made my will
Thou need'st not be at the expence of wishing
For what thou canst desire that I may grant,
Why are thy eyes declin'd?

Er,
To satisfie a little modest scruple
I beg you would permit me, Sir—

Alcip.
To lye alone to night, is it not so?

Er.
It is—

Alcip.
That's too severe, yet I will grant it thee,
But why Erminia must I grant it thee?

Er.
The Princess Sir questions my power and says,
I cannot gain so much upon your goodness.

Alcip.
I could have wisht some other had oblig'd thee to't.

Er.
You would not blame her if you knew her reason.

Alcip.
Indeed I do not much, for I can guess
She takes the party of her Prince and Brother;
And this is only to delay those joys,
Which she perhaps beleeves belong to him.
—But that Erminia, you can best resolve;
And 'tis not kindly done to hide a truth,
The Prince so clearly own'd.

Er.
What did he own?

Alcip.
He said, Erminia, that you were his wife;
If so, no wonder you refuse my bed:
The Presence of the King hindred my knowledge,
Of what I willingly would learn from you;
—Come ne're deny a truth that plain appears,
I see hypocrisie through all your tears.

Erm.
You need not ask me to repeat again,
A knowledge which, you say, appears so plain:
The Prince his word methinks should credit get,
Which I'le confirm whene're you call for it:
My heart before you ask't it, was his prize,
And cannot twice become a sacrifice.

Alcip.
Erminia, is this brave or just in you,
To pay his score of love with what's my due:
What's your design to treat me in this sort,
Are sacred Vows of Marriage made your sport?
Regard me well, Erminia, what am I?

Er.
Me Sir, with whom I am bound to live and die,
And one to whom by rigorous command,
I gave (without my heart) my unwilling hand.

Alcip.
But why, Erminia, did you give it so?

Er.
T' obey a King and cruel father too.
A friendship, Sir, I can on you bestow,
But that will hardly into passion grow;
And 'twill an Act below your vertue prove,
To force an heart you know can never love.

Alcip.
Am I the mark to hide your blushes in,
I the contented fool to veil your sin;
Have you already learnt that trick at Court,
Both how to practice and secure your sport;
Brave Mystress of your Art, is this the way
My service and my passion to repay?
Will nothing but a Prince your pleasure fit,
And could you think that I would wink at it?
Recal that folly, or by all that's good,
I'le free tho soul that wantons in thy blood.

[He in rage takes her by the arm, shews a Dagger.
Er.
I see your love, your Reason has betray'd,
But I'le forgive the faults which love has made;
'Tis true, I love, and do confess it too:
Which if a crime, I might have hid from you;
But such a passion 'tis, as does despise,
Whatever rage you threaten from your eyes.
—Yes—you may disapprove this flame in me,
But cannot hinder what the Gods decree;
—Search here this truth; Alas, I cannot fear,
Your steel shall find a welcom entrance here.

[He holds her still, and gazes on her.
Alcip.
Where dost thou think thy ingrateful soul will go,
Loaded with wrongs to me, should I strike now.

Er.
To some blest place, where Lovers do reside,
Free from the noise of jealousie and pride;
Where we shall know no other power but love,
And where even thou wilt soft and gentle prove;
So gentle, that if I should meet thee there,
I should allow what I deny thee here.

Alcip.
Thou—hast disarm'd my rage, and in its room,
A world of shame and softer passions come,
Such as the first efforts of love inspir'd,
When by thy charming eyes my soul was fir'd.

Er.
I must confess your fears are seeming just,
But here to free you from the least mistrust,
I swear; whilst I'me your wife I'le not allow
Birth to a thought that tends to injuring you.

Alcip.
Not to beleeve thee, were a sin above
Th' Injuries I have done thee by my love.
—Ah, my Erminia, might I hope at least
To share the pity of that lovely breast,
By slow degrees, I might approach that Throne,
Where now the blest Phillander reigns alone:
Perhaps in time my passion might redeem,
That now too faithful heart y'have given to him;
Do but forbear to hear his Amorous tales,
Nor from his moving eyes learn what he ails:
A fire that's kindled cannot long survive,
If one add naught to keep the flame alive.

Er.
I will not promise; what I mean to do,
My Vertue only shall oblige me to.

Alcip.
But Madam, what d' you mean by this reserve,
To what intent does all this coldness serve;
Is there no pity to my sufferings due,
And will you still my languishments renew?
Come, come, recal what you have rashly said,
And own tomorrow that thou art no maid:
Thy blushes do betray thy willingness,
And in thy lovely eyes I read success.

Er.
A double tie obliges me to be
Strict to my Vows, my Love and Amity:
For my own sake the first I'le ne're decline,
And I would gladly keep the last for thine.

Alcip.
Madam, you strangely do improve my pain,
To give me Hopes you must recal again.

Er.
Alcippus, you this language will forbear,
When you shall know how powerful you are;
For whilst you here endeavor to subdue,
The best of women languishes for you.

Alcip.
Erminia, do not mock my miserie,
For, though you cannot love, yet pity me;
That you allow my passion no return,
Is weight enough, you need not add your scorn,
In this your cruelty is too severe.

Er.
Alcippus, you mistake me every where.

Alcip.
To whom, Erminia, do I owe this fate.

Er.
Tomorrow all her story I'le relate,
Till then the promise I the Princess made,
I beg you would permit might be obey'd.

Alcip.
You mad: with so many charmes assail,
You need not question but you shall prevail;
Thy power's not lessen'd in thy being mine,
But much augmented in my being thine,
The glory of my chains may raise me more,
But I am still that slave I was before.

[Exeunt severally.