University of Virginia Library

Scene 1st.

Enter Dalmatius and Serena.
Seren.
Now Sir, you have it all, the whole sad story
Of your unhappy Son, his Love and mine:
Serena's Guilt and Crispus Innocence;
Therefore if you ask blood, and would revenge him;
Here waits his Murdress, for the stroak of death.
But hate not Crispus: Hate not the Innocent:
Much less proceed to the Murder of your friend,
Your faultless, guiltless, too deserving friend;
The gentlest, best, of all the Imperial Race.

Dalm.
No more: There needs no more; my Son is dead:
Eternal peace attend him: A few sad drops,
And now no more; Serena, I believe thee.
My Heart avows th' Innocence of my friend;
Which I had own'd before, had not the wounds
Of Annibal, lain green upon my Soul;
But that I now forgive him be thou witness,
Be witness Heav'n, and this last resolution,
I now put on to save my Crispus life,
Or lose my own.

Seren.
O let me kneel to such exalted Virtue.
But Sir, be quick to save him, or this goodness
Will come too late.

Dalm.
Where is the Emperor?

Seren.
Lockt in his Closet, deaf to the Peoples cries:
Fly Sir, I saw him pass in fury by,
With Arius in discourse.

Dalm.
I fear that Traitor.

Seren.
Your fears my Lord, are mine. I never lik'd him,
The Picture which he gave your Son, has shown him:
He has all the marks, we Virgins reckon Omenous,
A pale, down look, red Hair, and leering Eyes,
Mischief is in him: He's with th' Emperor now,
Perhaps solliciting the fate we fear.
I met 'em Sir, and interrupted Cæsar;
Who first receiv'd me kindly; but at the name
Of Crispus frown'd, and shook me from his arm.

Dalm.
Fear not, as thou hast counsel'd, I will join
Sylvester on the instant.

Seren.
Force the door,
If he refuse to let you in, do all
That pity, love, and friendship can inspire,
Do all that I would do, were I Dalmatius.

Ex. Severally.