University of Virginia Library

Sce. 6.

Enter Constantina and Thesbia.
Con.
The holy absolution of the Priest
Sings not so glad a Requiem to my departing soul
As this thy comfortable presence; Do not,
Oh do not then obscure thy self with ill beseeming tears,
I shall suspect thou think'st me still unchaste,
And spend'st these tears to purifie my spotted Conscience.

Thes.
When friends do part but for a week or so,
Their weeping eyes the emblems of their troubled hearts
Will let fall tears, and shall we
That now must part eternally
Denie our souls that charitable sacrifice?
Thou a long journey Constantina now must take,
Who knows whither I shall see thee more.

Con.
Alas poor soul, weep not for my felicity.
It is a glorious place that I shall go too.
There in a golden firmament enameld with bright stars,
Amidst a thousand Virgins I shall hear
Eternall harmony, still sounding, and still pleasant,
There fragrant smells shall never cloy
My fainting appetite though still presented odoriferous.
And canst thou weep because thy friend
Must go to such a Paradise?

Thes.
I weep not dearest because thou goest,
But that I stay behind; Could I accompany thee,
No Vestall Virgins at the Altar should appear
With such a joyfull countenance: But since I here must live
A walking Ghost pent in an earthly sepulchre,
It would be impudence to refrain from tears;
Weep on then Thesbia, let thy eyes
Flow with a continued moysture, to drain these fens
Will puzzle all projecting undertakers.

Con.
My weakness can resist no longer.
These tears proclame thy triumph;
We two like two Niobes will shed tears
Till we become one Fountain.

Enter above Charastus and Bermudo.
Cha.
See great Sir how close they are?
Oh do you start Sir?

Ber.
Ha! Anthrogonus, I would my eyes were lightning
For to blast thy spotted soul, yet leave thee still as fair.

Cha.
With what affection they embrace?
See how their wanton heads wearied with kissing
Hang like two drooping Lillies on each others shoulder,
Their very eyes to sympathize with them
Melt into tears.

Ber.
My rage involves a thunderbolt, this poor thin cloud
Cannot contain it long; 'twill out to all our ruines.
Oh Anthrogonus little canst thou think
What raging sorrows boyle within my breast
At this sad spectacle; The sight of such impiety
Feeds on my heart worse than Cantharides,
Or the deadly sting of a foul Conscience.
My eyes shall be no more your Pander.
Take heed fond fools, Bermudo comes
Arm'd to destruction:

Exit.
Cha.
Thus climbs Revenge: thus her aspiring head
One step has mounted, ere to the top it comes
Your hearts false men shall feel its rigor.
Sleep on fond Boy, thou hast a soft but fatall pillow,
Had not Bermudo lov'd thee, nor thou sav'd their lives,
Thou mightst have liv'd, but now
To punish three thou diest.
Thus by degrees Revenge must rise
Who straight brings death knows not to tyrannize.

Exit.
Bermudo within breaks ope the doors upon them.
Con.
Alas we are betraid.

Thef.
I care not I since Innocence is my guard.

Enter Bermudo and Guard.
Ber.
Seize on that lustfull couple.

Thes.
Why this violence? ye needed not have come
Thus armed to betray our innocence:
That weak resistance we could make
One word might have subdude, but if you think
To fright us with your strength, know we have
A guard about us shall confront your hopes.

Ber.
Guilt's a sufficient terror to it self,
It needeth no addition; but Justice as it strikes
So must it speak, like thunder.

Con.
Should it strike here, it would be truly so;
The holyest Temples oft are struck with thunder.
Should you but take his Nature and destroy
So pure an edifice as his, it were no Justice
But prophane severity.

Thes.
Plead not for me: I dare his utmost rigour,
In that he will be constant, and constancy I love
Be it in cruelty.

Ber.
My cruelty will but waver when it flowes on thee.
Oh that such tender years can be so old in wickedness.
Hadst thou a soul Anthrogonus as pure
As its inclosure thou mightst have been
Enthron'd a Deity for mortals to have wonder'd at.
Wouldst thou yet live? There is a strange
Conflict fought within me, by Piety and Affection.

Thes.
Let not Affection pull a curse upon you.
It is not in the power of your Majesty
To spare my life and take hers, unless you will be
More impious in breaking of your Lawes,
Than you were pious in the making them.

Ber.
'Tis true Anthrogonus, thou canst not live
Without I violate Religion; Thy body must
Within an odoriferous cloud ascend the Skies
To crave a pardon for thy soul.

Con.
The Gods require no humane sacrifice.
Mercy if offer'd in a free oblation, is the only incence
They delight in. I am enough to satisfie the Law,
Make not Religion sir too great a Butchery,
Your pity and his repentant tears
Will be a sacrifice more sweet,
Than all the Cookery of humane entrails.

Ber.
Witness ye Gods with what unwilling hands
I offer up this sacrifice; But Laws must be obey'd
When piety commands, though to the makers ruine.
Kings that make Laws to entrap others, may
With their own plots by chance themselves betray.

Exeunt.