University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

Philostrates, Philena, Chorus to them, &c.
Philos.
That a Nymph so fair and young
Should rush thus voluntarily upon
A sacrilegious Oath, and so incur
Her own destruction, 's a folly and rashness to
Be expiated equally with a prodigy.—
Go let a Sacrifice presently be prepar'd,
T'appease the angry Deity.

Phile.
Too much of Blood
We have already, the water of mine Eyes
Shall furnish out the rest of sacrifice;
As who's so hard-hearted, so avaritious
Of sorrow and grief, he wou'd not spare a tear
From all calamities, to spend it here?
But see Euphanes. Now still and still
D'ye persever ill-advised Youth to love,
Where y'are not lov'd, and prefer Bellinda's
Falshood to Philena's Truth?

Eup.
Thy heart then never by experience it seems did prove,
Only to love where w'are belov'd again
Is bargain, and not Love,—
And what, silly Nymph, avails it you
Toward the obtaining of Euphanes love, that Bellinda's false,
Who but collects from thence, no woman can be true?

Philost.
Bring forth our sable robes, and let
The Executioner with the fatal Ax
Be ready against the hour expires.

Mysti.
Behold 'um here.

Phil.

Chorus
sings.