University of Virginia Library

SCEN. II.

[The Scene is changed to the Princess Lodgings.]
Enter Charlot.
Charlot.
If my great Rival dye, why from her Grave
May not my Love a Resurrection have?
No, no! Him, whom I love I so will serve,
That what I can't enjoy, I may deserve.
For him none shall do more, nor more endure;
I'le lose my self, my Rival to secure.

Enter Princess.
Charlot, farewel: my Guards now surly grow,
And nearer wait, which Death's approch does show.

Charlot.
Madam, you must not dye; For yet we may
The Tyrant's hasty Cruelties delay.
Let us exchange our habits; In your room
I'le plant my self, and intercept your Doom.

Princess.
Ah Boy! how strange a Love dost thou express?
I'le never ruine thee by my release.

Charlot.
Madam, I charge you by the powerful Name
Of your great Lover, and your mutual Flame,
To take my Life's Oblation, and allow,
What I to you, and to your Richmond vow.
I am resolv'd, though you my Suit deny,
Not to out-live the Minute, when you dye.
And, since I this have vow'd, let me not spend
My Life in vain, which may your Life defend.
Undress you, Madam, and prepare to flye.

Princess.
Flye? Your Example bids me stay, and dye.

Charlot.
To ease the Ship in Storms, what Freight is first
Thrown over Board, the choicest, or the worst?

Princess.
This question puts a Period to our strife;
It bids me Honour save, and lose my Life.

Charlot.
Madam, you build on a mistaken ground;
Reason must Honour's darker Loves expound:
Subjects, who for their Prince themselves undo,
In the most glorious way their Duty shew:
But Princes, in whose Life the Publick lives,
Should save what Heaven for Publick safety gives.

Princess.
Who can the Brightness of thy Vertue doubt?
And when it shines so clear, would put it out?

Charlot.
Less will my Danger be, then yours, when I
Am seis'd for you; For you, when seis'd, must dye:
But, when the Murd'rers find a Stranger, they
Will pause awhile, and for new Orders stay.
Then the Field gain'd may make us both secure.

Princess.
But, Charlot, in what place can I be sure
Of safety, when my Shape I change for yours?

Charlot.
The Neighb'ring Cloister will for some few hours
(I having newly gain'd the Abbess) be
Your Refuge, till your Champion sets you free.

Princess.
Thy Kindness and thy Reasons conquer me;
And yet too much I hazard, vent'ring thee!

Charlot.
Waste not your time in scruples; Pray, be gone:
Our work must end before the Fight's begun.

[Exeunt.