 | The Tragedy of Ovid |  |
Scena Secunda.
Enter Bassanes, Marullus, and Clorina with servants.Bassanes.
So place her in that Chaire, and the sides
Tye fast her Arms, keep her hands open thus!
Here the servants tye her fast, and fasten Pyrontus heart in her hands.
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And put her Paramour's Heart into them: So
Now Foul Adultress! Thou may'st contemplate
Of the Affection it did bear thee once.
Reflect upon the Mountain of thy Sins,
Which hath over-whelm'd the false Pyrontus. Look
Thou most libidinous woman, what a Ruine
Thy Lust hath brought upon him, and thy self.
Clori.
I have at large (calling the gods to witness
That what I told swearv'd not a jot from truth)
Related to you all the Particulars
Of his unruly love; that he surpriz'd me,
Come in at my window whilst I was asleep;
With what an horrour I was stricken at it,
When I perceiv'd t'was he; how I rail'd at him,
Cal'd him by the worst names that I could think on
Bad him be gon for ever from my sight;
That I look'd on him as a Basilisk;
The Ruine of his honour, and mine own,
That I would tell you of him my Bassanes,
Inform you what a Divel's Company
You kept I'th likeness of a Friend. Just gods!
Protect my Innocency, and by some means
Divine, inspire these Truths into his heart.
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That wife who dares pollute the Nuptiall Bed,
Is prodigall enough of Vows and Tears,
To win belief from credulous Persons; she
Hath done no wrong, when she hath done all the wrong.
Clori.
Thrice happy are those souls that from the Cares,
And slanders of this wicked Age are free,
Walk up and down Elizium in their thin
And airy substances. And have them so
Transparent that their thoughts may all be seen.
Wood mine were such. Oh that the Deities
Would lend their eyes a while to you, that you
Might search (Bassanes) every Cranny of,
My heart. I do not know a thought I have,
I would conceal from you.
Bassa.
Thou hast a Soul,
So ulcerous, Clorina, that the Prayers,
And vows of all the world can never cleanse it
Clor.
Oh! the hard heart of unbelieving Man!
Happy you Virgins that do stop your ears
Against the Charms of their bewitching tongue
And evermore continue in your Chastity.
I would to Heaven I never had beheld
Hymen to light his Pine. Have I bestow'd
My self on you to find such miseries,
Under your Roof? I wish my Parents had
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The open Fields, unto the Cruelty
Of the most salvage Beasts; or in a small
Unguided Boat, left me unto the fury
Of an enraged Sea. Would any Mischief
Had fallen upon me, but this fatall Marriage.
Bassa.
Hearken Marullus! are you not amaz'd
To hear her speak against our Nuptials thus?
It is apparent that she doth repent her
Of taking me, And wish'd she had Pyrontus.
Mar.
I pray you hear her out.
Clorin.
How you mistake
My meaning, my belov'd, and cruell Husband!
I would it had been pleasing to the gods,
I never had been made a wife to any.
How Fortunate a choice might you else where
Have found; these dire Mischances mist; and I
(With my ill Fate) have no man else infected.
Mar.
My heart is bigg with sorrow at her words,
And vents it self in this sad dew.
Bassa.
What are these Tears for, you do drie away?
Mar.
I cannot choose but Melt.
Bassa.
You are too Tender.
Come: we will leave her to contemplate here
The horrid wickednesses, she hath acted.
If that all sense of honour hath not left thee.
Clorina, dye: It will be endless shame
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Perpetuall Ignominy on my poor Family.
Mar.
I pitty her Bassanes, much commiserate
Her so dysastrous Fate: She may be Innocent:
I pray you think her so; I hope she is.
Bæssa.
Her Reputation's gon, for ever lost:
A Sea of Tears cannot wash off her Guilt,
'Tis so infectious, I am tainted with it.
False woman, dye: Lost honour never more
(By any Means) admits of any Cure.
Exeunt.
| The Tragedy of Ovid | |