University of Virginia Library

Scena Quinta.

Severus, Paulina, Fabian.
Severus.
I am confounded
In my astonishment to see his blindness;
His resolution's so unparalel'd,
That scarce can I believe mine ears; a heart
That holds you dear, (but what heart is so low
That could have known you, and not cherish'd you?)
A man belov'd by you, assoon as he
Possesseth you, without regret he leaves you,
Nay he doth more, he doth resign you over;
And as if your fires were a fatall present,
He himself makes a gift on't to his Rivall:
Surely the Christians either have strange whimsies,
Or their felicities must be infinite,
Since to pretend thereto they dare reject
What one should purchase at an Empires price.
For my part, if my destiny a little
Sooner propitious, had been pleas'd to honour me
With your fair Nuptials, I should have ador'd
No glory but the lustre of your eyes;
I would have made of them my Kings and gods.
They should have first reduced me to dust,
Before that—

Paul.
Sir, no more of this discourse,
I fear I've heard too much, and that this heat.
Should thrust forth some unseemly consequence
Unworthy of us both. Severus, know
My Polyeuctes wholy doth take up
Paulina's thoughts, he hath but a short moment
To live, you are the innocent cause thereof:
I know not if your soul might have presum'd
To frame some hope to your desires upon
His ruine, but assure your self, there is
No death so cruel whereunto I would not
With fearless steps address, nor in Hell horrors
So dreadfull which I would not rather suffer,
Then sully my fame to espouse a man,
After his sad fate, who in any kind
Might cause his death, and if you should believe me
Of so unsound a mind, the Love I bear you
Would turn all into hatred; you are generous,
Be so unto the end; My Father is
In a condition to deny you nothing;
He fears you, and I will be bold to adde
This word, that if he doth destroy my Husband,
It is to you he sacrificeth him;
Save this unfortunate, use your interest for him,
Indeavour, pray, to serve him as a Prop;
I know tis much what I demand of you,
But how much greater the indeavour is,
So much more is the glory on't, preserve
A Rivall that you'r jealous of, it is
A tract of vertue which belongeth not
But unto you; if this be not sufficient
Renown unto you, tis much that a woman
Sometimes belov'd, and yet perhaps whose love
May touch you, should owe that to your great heart
Which she esteems most dear. Lastly, remember
You are Severus, after this Petition
I'le go without an Answer, and if you
Be not the same which Ile presume to vaunt,
To prize you still, I will be ignorant.—

Exit.