University of Virginia Library

Scena, 3.

The Duke, Duchess, Leontius, Anthenor, &c.
Duc.
Beseech you my Lord,
banish him the Court.

Duke.
Well we shall think upon't.

Duke.
It is a shame to suffer him here,
is not content to deboish himself,
but seeks to deboish the Prince too.

Duk.
Well, well.

Duc.
Nay what's more, h'as not
onely attempted the honour of my women here,
but even attempts the honour of Erminia too.

Duk.
Ha! do's he so? nay then we will not onely
banish him the Court, but City and Country too;
let it be strait proclaim'd.

Ant.
D'ye mark how that
heats him, he was cold before?

Leo.
I do.

Duc.
I will not tell you how insolent he was
to tempt even me my self, not to expose
his life to danger, and my honour too;
that he shud dare to do it, and hope to live.

Leo.
His life thirsted after too, nay then I see
nothing's more insatiate
then women in their love, or in their hate.

Duk.
Though for's insolency I confess
he deserves to dy, yet in regard of's tender years
so thou my dearest beest content,
I am content to spare his life.

Duc.
Our sex is soft and gentle,
as it becomes us to be merciful;
but think my Lord whe'r't becomes you or no,
and't may'nt appear in you, too great neglect
both of my honour and your own.

Leo.
Then I see no Tigress, nor Lioness,
nor Aspick trod on, is more fell and cruel,
then cruel women.

Duk.
Content thy self dearest with
his banishment, we would not kill, where we
might safely spare.

Duc.
Mistaken clemency!
misplaced goodness! “who spare the guilty are
“cruel to th'innocent; best tarry till h'ave
left nothing in the Court inviolate,
even to the Royal bed; nay till his lust
like a violent spreading torrent overflows
and involves Erminia' honour too,
gaining her the dishonourable repute
of a foul Strumpet, and base Prostitute.

Ant.
That's a killing blow put home,
guard thee well Aurindo, or th'art but dead.

Duk.
Oh, how I love
this zeal of justice in you,
and you, for it?
you have prevail'd
it is resolv'd he dye:
let him be apprehended strait.

Le.
This must be prevented.

Exit hastily.
Duke.
Now my dearest art thou satisfied?
If thou beest,
appease thy anger, serenate thy minde,
and in thy cabinet expect thine own desires
and wishes alwayes to attend thee.—
Leads her to the door.
Now to the rest of our affairs,
where's that shipwrackt souldier lately return'd
from Attica, call him to us strait, we'l take
the scruple of marriage out of Erminia's breast,
that w'are resolv'd come what will of the rest.