University of Virginia Library

Scena Tertia.

Paulina, Stratonica.
Stratonica.
I have bewail'd you both, and cannot chuse
But shed tears, yet your spirit, I do believe,
Is free of fear now, for you plainly see
Your dream is vain, Severus commeth not
With revenge in his hand.

Paul.
Leave me to breath,
At least if thou hast (as thou sayst) lamented me,
Thou call'st again my fear unto the Fort
Of all my grief, suffer my troubled spirits
To take a little rest, and lead me not
By those redoubled evils.

Strat.
What! fear you yet?

Paul.
Stratonica, I tremble,
And though I am a paid with little justice,
This unjust fear continually produceth
The Image of the sad misfortunes which
I saw last night.

Strat.
Severus is most generous.

Paul.
Notwithstanding
His staydness, Polyeuctes all in bloud
Strikes still my sight.

Strat.
You are your self a witness
Of his devotions for him.

Paul.
I believe
He would be his support upon occasion,
But whether this belief be false or true,
His abode in this place doth make me fear,
To whatsoe're his vertue may dispose him,
He's strong, he loves, and comes here to espouse me.