University of Virginia Library

The Second Act:

Scene ROME.
Enter Arius and Labienus, Eubolus.
Arius.
We have done our Work by halfs; follow'd by the Scent,
Trac'd to our Holes! Oh I could play the Mad-man!
Men of our Make so poorly hide a Murder,
That Dogs can Rake it up. Spies, Spies by Hell!
The Course of former Councils was too slow,
I am proclaim'd a Traitor, Heretick,
And Poniards must proclaim my Accuser nothing.

Labie.
Were it not better to comply?

Arius.
Impossible!
The Genius of the proud imperial Brothers
And mine by Nature Mortally oppos'd.
Hate strongly at first sight, which hate improv'd,
By the late flaw I found in their Religion:
They hear too how I tainted Infant Julian:
Yet being made the Emperours Confident,
In the late Contract, all might have been retreiv'd;
And I at Helm, had not his hated Brother
Thus interpos'd to my eternal Ruine—
Poison and Ponyard—

Eubol.
Is it come to that?

Ari.
It is: without dispatch, were are all undone.
Oh for a Slave to mould, some Malecontent;
His blood adust, and blackned with the blows
Of adverse Fortune: yet of Soul elate,
And to be flush'd for Fame, or hire
To any kind of daring!

Lab.
Why?

Ari.
I would work the Melancholy brave
To stab Dalmatius.

Eubol.
Why not Constantine?

Ari.
Because ten Constantines live at least in him;
The one's not half so open to Destruction,
As t'other close: and on the Guard to save him;
He has unravell'd our close Webb of Thought,
And from the bottom of our dark Design
Drawn Treason forth, perhaps to hang us all.

Lab.
'Tis justly thought; this Lett must be remov'd;
And who so fit to hew it into pieces
As that ambitious, brawny Fool, Lycinius?

Ari.
Thou hast hit the Man my busie Brain had lost.
The Emperour dooms him dead; by whose Advice?
Tell me; I hear the dull Lycinius cry,
That e're I fall the Victim of the War,
I may at once destroy his Life and Name.
Enter Lycinius. Guards:
But see he comes! I bring you News.

Lycin.
Ha! of my Death! I read it in thy Face.

Ari.
The Emperour, as at first I told your Story,
Ready Trumpets, a March at distance.
Inclin'd to Mercy: but fierce Dalmatius
Repeal'd the hint of your half granted Pardon,
And forc'd him to your Death.

Call Serena.
Lycin.
By Mars I'll fight him.

Ari.
'Tis not in your Power;
You're Pris'ner of War.

Lycin.
Yet I may curse:
My Tongue is not their Prisoner; therefore I'll curse,
Bitterly curse Dalmatius: curse 'em all.

Ari.
Curse for the loss of Empire, and of Life!
Bitterly curse! Why Whores will there out-do you.
I blush to think the great Lycinius
Should e're be brought in such Comparison!
Would it not seem more worthy your pact Honour
To strike than say? Strike, if I may advise,
And e're you suffer.—

Lycin.
Kill Dalmatius,
Constantine, Crispus, Annibal, nay all,—
Quite root up all the Imperial Stock at once.

Ari.
This Dagger then be yours: the Legacy
Of an old Prophetess: who dying, told me,
He that had Courage to employ it well,
And where it ought, should make himself the Greatest.—

Trumpet at distance.
Lycin.
It shall be well employ'd, and where it ought.
But hark! th' Emperour comes!

Ari.
Rather Dalmatius,
Perhaps commission'd for your Execution!

Lycin.
Why then I'll forth and meet him. By the Fates,
If I must fall, he shall not live to laugh:
And in remembrance of this solemn Oath,
I kiss the ominous Gift thou hast bequeath'd me;
I'll treasure it next my Heart; where it shall rest,
Till sheath'd by Vengeance in Dalmatius Brest.

Exit.
Ari.
Or live or dye, thou art contriv'd for Mischief!
Next I must mend the Heresies I've broach'd,
And reconcile my self by some bold Offer,
With Constantine; which while I undertake,
Be it your Care to spread the old poisonous Doctrine:
Sow it in all Habits, Persons, Forms, and Places;
Grow with the Times, and cultivate Sedition.
Enter Serena.
My fair Devotess:—but hence, as I have order'd,
And meet me at the Tryal of Lycinius.

Ex. Labie. & Eubol.
Seren.
The Morning's come, and fain I would have rest,
Who all the Night have wak'd upon my Pillow,
And made it wet with Tears: my solitary Groans
That pierc'd Heav'ns Vaults: tho Heav'n was deaf the while;
Deaf to redress, have made my Brest so sore
That I can sigh no longer.
Crispus and Fausta! Oh you happy Lovers!
Not so with you the gladsome Minutes past:
For, e're 'twas day, I left my tedious Bed,
And listen'd to your Joys.

Ari.
Her Sorrows lull me,
And I grow good, I know not how, o'th' sudden.

Seren.
Such soft Expressions flow'd from the charming Crispus,
As did but aggravate my Passion more;
Yet hide it, O Serena! though thou diest,
Tell it to none, but to the midnight Groves,
The Flocks and Streams, and those unhappy Stars,
Whose merciless Fires thus fated thy undoing.

Ari.
What! not to Arius! to thy Confessor;
To him who has a Priviledge from Heav'n?

Seren.
Oh Arius! would I had the Power to hide it;
But you have heard it all;
And will, perhaps, proclaim a Virgins Frailty.
But, Sir, I shall not long survive my shame:
And since 'tis known, confess it to the World;
Confess, that Passion has dethron'd my Reason,
That unbelov'd, I love the best of Men.
And sigh unheard, and without Witness mourn,
And dote to Death, without the least Return.

Ari.
'Tis said, young Annibal is vow'd your Servant.

Seren.
O Arius! mark the malice of our Fates!
That Prince loves me, as Crispus is belov'd,
And failing in his Suit, employ'd his Friend
To plead his Cause! Oh had it been his own!—
But all my Pray'rs, alas! are now in vain,
Ready Trumpets for a Call.
And wanting Crispus, I must wed my Grave.
Therefore I beg you, Sir, procure his Picture
To entertain my melancholy Thoughts,
Since him himself I ne're must see again.

Ari.
That, and all Helps which Arius can command.

Seren.
I thank you Sir, by the blest Saints I do;
I thank you for this Favour, from my Heart.
But hark! they come: Crispus and Fausta come!
Oh Heart! why dost thou leap against my Bosom
Like a cag'd Bird, and beat thy self to Death
For an impossible Freedom?

Ari.
Stay to salute 'em.

Seren.
No Arius, no: I cannot, dare not stand 'em:
But see, they come, wreath'd in each others Arms,
And mingling Kisses. Has not then the Night
Been long enough, but you most love by Day?
Do Fausta, do, be stifled with the Joy.
Follow him from thy Chamber to the Grove,
To Garden haunts, and clasp him in the Bowers,
Thence to your golden Beds again, while I
Sink to my Grave, and there forgotten, lye.

Exit. Serena.
Ari.
Crispus to court Serena for his Friend,
His Picture she shall have it—Mischief, Hell!
And if it be thy Will thy Slave obeys.
Crispus and Annibal, that late were Friends—
Shall strait be foes. But hush, the Lovers come—
This Closet hides me to discover more.
Enter Crispus and Fausta.
This Closet be my School, to learn their Language.

Fausta.
Your Fathers Trumpets call you. Let 'em call,
You shall not go. Oh are there any Sounds
To charm, more powerful than your Fausta's Cries?

Crisp.
No, not the Tongues of Angels! O best Joy
Of my abounding Soul! What shall I call thee?
By Heav'n, thou art all Heav'n, all Paradise.
Talk not then of going from thee: for, I'll stay till Age
Has snow'd a hundred Winters on my Head,
Yet give and take Enjoyments then, as now.

Faust.
And oh, for thee, thou dearest of the World,
My Souls best Life, and my Hearts grasp'd Desire,
Oh what Return! The Mother on her throws,
After the Rack when hanging o're her Babe,
With bleeding Joys, wild Looks, and earning Smiles,
Loves not her Darling more than I love Crispus.
Thou shalt not leave me, Crispus.

Crisp.
Yes, to meet again;
Our Loves approv'd, by him that gave me Being,
And then—

Faust.
What then? He dooms me to that place;
Where in his Shrowd the poor Maximian lies,
Where I shall lye as I had never been,
Nor think of Crispus more.—

Crisp.
Canst thou fear Death,
While I have Life?

Faust.
Oh do not trust thy Father!
Trust not the Passions of a Conquerour;
For in his fatal Look, when last he left me,
Something I saw, that bid me fly his Presence.
Fly to the Verge of Earth, and leap the bounds,
Rather than ever meet his Eyes again.

Crisp.
Thy Father's Fate makes thee mistrust thy own.

Faust.
No Crispus, not Mistrust, but certain Danger;
Which like a moulding Promontory hangs,
Bursting above our Heads; and threatens Death,
Unless we House betimes, and scape the fall.

Crisp.
What danger? Death? What fall?

Faust.
Thy Father.

Crisp.
Ha!

Faust.
Thy Father, Crispus.

Crisp.
Knows not we are marry'd,
But shall, and will I hope forgive my passion.

Faust.
I dream't last night, thy Father was in love;
In love with me, my Crispus; catch'd us clasp'd.
And with his Dagger, stabb'd us in the fold;

Crisp.
Is't possible?

Faust.
Most true.

Crisp.
And catch't thee with me?

Faust.
Catch't us in bed.

Crisp.
There?

Faust.
Here. Why dost thou wonder?
'Twas but a dream.

Crisp.
Yet there is wonder in 't.
Because, by Heav'n, I dreamt the very same
Is it not strange?

Faust.
If it should happen true!

Crisp.
That would be strange indeed.

Faust.
Therefore let's fear the worst: and Arm against it;
For oh, Why should I hide a secret from thee?
When I beheld him last, He languished,
And wrung my hand at parting.

Crisp.
But what said he?

Faust.
I will not tell you Crispus, till you answer
What you would do with me, my dearest Joy,
If it were true indeed, your Father lov'd me.

Crisp.
What, at your parting? ha!

Faust.
Why if't were true,
Would you forsake me?

Crisp.
Be my own murderer!
I know not what, but speak your parting. Oh!

Faust.
Why are you so enrag'd? I dare not tell you.

Crisp.
If ought thou hid'st, by Heav'n thou dost not love me.

Faust.
By Heav'n! I hope no other Heav'n, but thee.
What if he talkt alittle? Age will talk,
And think of it no more.

Trumpets ready for a Call.
Crisp.
What was your talk?
I'le know each syllable.

Faust.
Why so you shall:
But then be calm; What if he talk't of love?
And what? Oh be not angry, and I'll tell you,
What if to save my life I promis'd him?—

Crisp.
Ha! promis'd Fausta?
Promise the Father and engage the Son?
But speak, I stand upon a Precipice;
For if 'tis true, that e're so little past
Of love before—

Faust.
What then?

Crisp.
And thou hast promis'd?

Faust.
Suppose I have Sworn.

Crisp.
Suppose then thy dishonour:
Suppose me never to behold thee more;
Suppose my death; both Soul and Bodies ruin.

Faust.
Suppose no more, but what my Soul hath Sworn,
To love his Son, none but the lovely Crispus;
O therefore clear thy brow, and take me to thee,
Be still my love, forgive this little fault,
And jealousie shall ne're offend thee more.

Crisp.
O Charmer! Beauty, What! where was the need?
Why hast thou kept me on the Rack so long?
Tho taken down, I feel the strains upon me,
And shall, I fear, too long. But hark, they call,
Trumpets.
And I must go.

Faust.
But will you then return?

Crisp.
Quick as thy wishes, or my own desires;
But make no more such Tryal. Hark again.

Trumpets again.
Faust.
I cannot part with you, tho for a moment.

Crisp.
I'll but enquire whether my Father's come.

Faust.
Swear to come back then, Swear before you see him,
To give me one look more.

Crisp.
What needs an Oath?
Before I speak with him—

Faust.
You'l speak with me,
For I have much to say of mighty moment;
Swear therefore to return.

Crisp.
Swear on thy Lips;
Thus with my Heart I seal my Vows for ever.
Ex. Crispus.

Faust.
Heart and the Holiest Vows deep writ in Blood;
Blood and dishonor: Take then, take my cause;
Thou, that hast made me sin, O mighty love!
And let thy Mother plead it with her Tears,
He sees his Father, and my crime at once;
And then resolves never to see me more.

Enter Arius.
Call Dalmatius, Crispus, all Attendants.
Arius.
What then?

Faust.
What then! O Arius, Dost thou know me?
And ask what then, when he ne're sees me more?
I'll tell the then, I'll never see the day
Shades, Night and Death, Despair and Dungeons hold me,
When those dear Eyes shall never light me more.

Arius.
Since you enjoy'd him, let the Tides of love
Be swallow'd in the Ocean of Ambition.

Faust.
Ambition, Pomp, and greatness of the World,
All empty sounds to love! But thine's a downward sense,
Thou hast no tast of these sublimer joys.
But haste! look out; Why comes he not again?
He swore, he would; but he has seen his Father!
Who stops him, with my first unhappy Contract.

Arius.
I see him yonder.

Faust.
Blessings on thy Tongue;
But I'll run forth to meet him, and no longer,
Conceal the Innocent deceit of Love.

Arius.
Hold Madam, stay, Dalmatius comes; retire,

Faust.
Dalmatius! Let me see my self.

Arius.
They come.

Faust.
Dalmatius! Gods, 'tis He, He tells him all;
Th' Emperor told it him. Nay sir must out,
I am lost, undone: But gentle Arius, wait,
And watch, and bring me word, how Crispus bears it.
Oh that I were a Spirit to stand unseen!
To mark his passions how they rise and fall,
With every Glance of those dear, dreadful Eyes:
But see they come, and yet I cannot stir,
I grow distracted with my hope and fear,
Compell'd to go; yet long to tarry here.

Ex. Fausta.
Enter Dalmatius and Crispus to Arius.
Dalm.
I have much against you, Crispus; and you know it;
Therefore with all the freedom of a friend,
Tell me what is the cause, you have not been
So free as formerly.

Crisp.
You know I am.

Dalm.
I'll press you Sir, no more, only remember,
There stands a Villain, whom I have seen you whisper,

Ex. Arius.
Crisp.
I'll tell you all.

Dalm.
You dare not: Come there is a guilt at bottom,
You blush to own, a Crime of such a nature,
As will admit no Pardon. Thou hast sin'd
Against the great Divinity of friendship;
Which my Soul takes to death.

Crisp.
Can it be
Ever too late to gain a Pardon here?

Dalm.
I cannot tell; Yet I can tell thee this,
There was a time, not many days are past,
Since I preferr'd thy friendship to the World;
When I cou'd say; Why yonder goes the Man,
Whom my Soul worships more then Constantine,
And Loves beyond my Son. By Heav'n thy fault
Is ominous, and grinds my temper through.

Crisp.
That Son you nam'd unhappily 's in Love.

Dalm.
Then He's a Fool. With whom?

Crisp.
Maximians Daughter;
The younger Beauty.

Dalm.
Ha! And you Love the Elder:
My life on't some such masterly design;
This makes you shun the Camp, to lurk beneath
The Eeves of Palaces, and droop in Corners.
But Sir your Pardon. I almost forgot
To urge your swiftest speed, to wait your Father.

Crisp.
I will but take my leave.

Dalm.
I fear there is
Too much already taken; but no more—
If you have ought to say, I'll visit for you.—

Crisp.
Be all as you would have it! Oh your hand!
Nay, I will force my Entrance to your Heart,
By opening all my own; and so farewell.

Ex. Crispus.
Dalm.
I blame my friend for walking in the Dark,
Yet hide my self, who when I seem most strange
Am fondest of his Love. So Sir, What now?

Enter Anniball.
Annib.
The fair Constantia with condemn'd Lycinius,
Drest in the saddest Glass of dying sorrow,
Was coming to entreat you for his Pardon;
But soon as she had heard from weeping Arius,
Her Husbands doom, she in our Arms Expir'd.

Dalm.
I mourn her Fate; But for Lycinius,
I urg'd at first, and still resolve, his Death
Is necessary to the Emperors life
Nor should a few weak drops by Women shed,
Stop a Decree so Absolute and Royal.

Annib.
He comes attended with a mournful crowd,
To sue for life.

Dalm.
I'll have him Executed in their view;
Yes Anniball, and shew thy Youth a pattern
Of the old Romans, for thy imitation:
Who hast but poorly Copy'd from thy Father.

Annib.
Why Sir? What Villain has traduc'd my Vertue?

Dalm.
No Villain, but thy Prince has own'd thy weakness;
And says thou Lov'st a Captive Foe of Rome.

Annib.
The Virgin's beautiful, and greatly born.

Dalm.
Perhaps the Virgin may as greatly die,
And yield her Beauties to the Fatal stroke.

Annib.
To the Fatal stroke! Oh all ye Powers!
No Sir: the fair Serena shall not die
While I wear this.

Dalm.
Ha Rebel! Traytor! How!
Not at the Emperors Doom?

Annib.
No nor at yours,
That gave me Sir my being; take it again,
Unless you give me leave to lay it there,
Where I have plac'd my Love.

Dalm.
The Emperor
Decrees thee Cappadocia: Wilt thou forfeit
The noble Heritage of such Ambition
For Infamous Love?

Annib.
Wrong not a Passion,
That equals your own Virtue. For could Cæsar
Give with a Daughter of his own the World,
I would prefer my Love in this Condition,
To all the proffers of his Blood and Empire.

Dalm.
Hence from my sight; And till thou break'st this passion,
See me no more.

Annib.
Then I must never see you.
For when I cease to Love, where I have vow'd,
I am no more: Therefore upon my Knees,
I beg you to recall this dreadful sentence.
Repeal my Banishment, and give me leave,
To win the Heart of this unhappy Maid,
Or bid me die before you.

Dalm.
Rise my Boy:
Thou Lov'st indeed, who canst refuse a Kingdom.
Enter Arius, Lycinius, Labienus, Eubolus, with the Populace.
But see Lycinius with his followers here,
Take to the habit of thy former Wars;
And soften not my Justice by thy sorrows.

Annib.
I have heard Lycinius lately threatned you,
Therefore your Guardians Eye be watchful o're you.

Dalm.
Fear not, I'm Arm'd against 'em. Know, Lycinius,
The Emperor has decreed to shew his Subjects,
What weary'd Mercy dares resolve to do.
Cleanthes; you the Captain of the Guard:
Lead to the Forum, and in the Peoples view
Strike off his Head.

Lycin.
—I bear the sentence as becomes my Honour:
And all the favour which I beg in Death,
Is to reveal a secret to your Ear,
Which may import the Emperors life, and Yours.

Dalm.
What would you Sir?

Lycin.
My Lord, Are you in earnest?
Or is there room for hope?

Dalm.
Sir, be not flatter'd:
Hope is the fawning Traytor of the mind,
Which while it cozen's with a colour'd friendship,
Robs us of our last Vertue, Resolution.

Lycin.
Speak then the force of Resolution—Thus.

Annib.
No Villain—Thus.

Annibal disarms and offers to Stab him.
Dalm.
Hold, Annibal! Hold thy Hand.
An executioner in the best of Causes,
Is a vile trade for Honourable men;
Therefore let slaves dispatch him.

Annib.
Rack him First,
To know who counsel'd him to this damn'd deed?

Dalm.
No: To Sylvester let him own his fault,
And die a Christian, I am satisfy'd.

Lycin.
Ha ha!—A Christian! What and fall a Sheep?
Confess! No, as he urg'd, bring forth the Rack:
Wire-draw my Limbs, Spin all my Nerves like Hairs,
And work my tortured Flesh as thin as Flame,
You shall not know a title more then this;
I was set on to stab Dalmatius;
And would the Emperor, were he in my reach.
Who were the Gods that prompted thus my Arm,
You Christian Curs shall never know from me?
Therefore go learn the Mystery in Hell.
Thus much I may acquaint you; They are living,
Warm in your Bosoms, and I hope will sting you;
Sting you to Death. Plagues, Famine, Sword, and Fire;
Fire from the Gods on your proud City fall;
And with that dying Curse I leave you all.

Ex. Guarded.
Dalm.
His Fate was just; now Romans to the Triumph;
Go forth and meet your Emperor, whose mercy
Extends her peaceful Wings to all that seek him;
And is the Darling attribute of his Soul.
But hark! He comes! The Saviour of your Empire;
Bring forth his Statues; Crown his Images;
Meet him with Garlands, Songs and Shouts of Triumph.
But see his entrance is already made,
And there He comes, with Crispus in his Arms.

Enter Constantine, Crispus, &c. To the Triumph.
Const.
Dalmatius, I must thank thee for the Fate,
Of that too stubborn troubler of our Reign;
Sylvester to his Hermitage retires,
And says the Saints are sad at my delay:
Tell him, e're long, and urge him to return,
The Emperor and the Court shall be Baptiz'd.

Dalm.
Take to your former freedom, Mirth and Humor,
For 'tis observ'd, you are not as you were.

Const.
Oh Brother! Friend! In all my hazards try'd,
This Son shall share the Heart and Empire too,
Of my lov'd Crispus, whom for some few minutes,
I would discourse alone.

Dalm.
Your wishes on you;
Peace to your thoughts, and Heaven still guide your Councils.

Exeunt. Manent Constantine, Crispus.
Const.
Hast thou perform'd thy Embassy, my Crispus?
And seen the Daughter of Maximian?

Crisp.
I have seen Her Sir; And seen Her Beauteous Sister.

Const.
How lik'st thou? Ha! Are they not charming both?
Both Beautiful?

Crisp.
They are. But why Sir both?

Const.
Because the latter only Catch'd thy praise,
When Fausta in the Pride of blooming Nature,
As much transcends her as the Summers Rose
The little Beauties of a backward Spring.

Crisp.
'Tis true, She is the Elder.

Const.
And the fairer,
In all comparisons to be prefer'd,
Not only to her Sister, but the World.

Crisp.
Is't possible?

Const.
That thou should'st be so dull,
To ask the Question, having seen the wonder!

Crisp.
But Sir, when I was sent you talk't of Death.

Const.
Death to my self, and thee, and all mankind,
Rather then wound a part of my Lov'd Fausta.

Crisp.
Oh Heav'n! What said you? Do you Love her then?

Const.
Love her my Son! In Age I Love her more,
Then in my Youth I Lov'd the chace of Glory.

Crisp.
And does she know you Love her?

Const.
Know? Approves;
Approving joyn'd, and Seal'd the Contract sure.

Crisp.
Death and Despair! Approv'd, Joyn'd, Seal'd, Contracted!
How Seal'd? And how Contracted?

Const.
Why our Lips
Have Sign'd and Seal'd an Everlasting Love.

Crisp.
What, kiss'd her? Ha! But I'm too Credulous:
All you have said is but to try my temper,
How much your Son can bear.

Const.
I must confess,
Thy fears were just, had'st thou another Father;
But as I am, I swear what ever Issue
I have by Fausta, Thou shalt Heir my Power.

Crisp.
Talk not of Power, but tell me of your Love;
Distract me not with these Ambiguous Answers,
But tell me; Swear to save my loss of reason,
If as you Love, you are by Fausta Lov'd.

Const.
That I Love Fausta; is as true by Heav'n,
As I Love thee; But whether I am Lov'd,
With just return, is hard indeed to swear:
Yet as I said before, our Hands have joyn'd,
Our Lips have seal'd, and binding Oaths have past.

Crisp.
What Oaths?

Const.
Betrothing Oaths.

Crisp.
Oh, All ye Saints!
Are you contracted too?

Const.
Ay Crispus, we're contracted;
Weep not my Son; I swear by this Embrace,
Thou shalt not less be Lov'd then heretofore.

Crisp.
Betroth'd! Oh Heav'n! And have you Sir enjoy'd her?

Const.
No Crispus; That's a Heav'n I have to come.

Crisp.
A Hell! All Hell! And if not yet enjoy'd,
Let me conjure you by my Mothers ashes,
Touch her not for the World.

Const.
What means my Son?
I have decreed to marry her this Night;
And tast the sweets of long expected joys.

Crisp.
By Heav'n I swear those sweets have poison in 'em,
Bane to your Soul, your Empire, Life and Glory.

Const.
Take heed my Crispus, that thou do not wrong her;
I know the hazard of Succession frights thee.

Crisp.
No: By your sacred life; nothing but Honour
Provokes me in the point: She's false, forsworn,
And to my certain knowledg loves another.
Oh! Therefore touch her not; and to convince you,
That Empire could not work me thus: This night
I'll turn a Hermit, and renounce the World.

Const.
If she be false: I know his temper well;
And nature cannot make such faults o'th' sudden,
If she be false! By Heav'n, thou hast moved me Crispus:
But speak the Traitors name, who thus has wrong'd me.

Crisp.
Pardon me, Sir, his name; He could not wrong you,
Because he knew not.

Const.
What?

Crisp.
Your Love.

Const.
His name,
There's more in this; His name, again I charge thee,
Not only name him, but produce his person;
Or I shall think all forgery thou hast sworn.

Crisp.
O let me beg you, wed her not to night,
And when I see you next, I'll tell you more;
Perhaps betray the Innocent to Death.

Const.
Let that be prov'd; I swear he shall not die,
Thou art it seems his friend as well as mine;
But look you calm the Tempest you have rais'd,
Or I will make thee stranger to my Soul.

Ex. Constantine.
Crisp.
Solus.
I am content; if that some pittying Power,
Would make make me too a stranger to my self:
But hold my Heart a while, till I have found her.
Yet there's a lucid joy in these distractions;
To know he has not bedded her; then had follow'd,
Her death and mine, and consequent Damnation:
Yet lest she should consent, I'll haste, and warn her;
When warn'd I'll watch, and if she after Yield,
Through Love or Fear, to his Incestuous charms,
I'll rush through all and stabb her in his Arms.

Exit.