University of Virginia Library

Scena, 10.

The Prince, Cleander following him, Erminia, Amynter.
Er.
The Prince here too?
deluded by this news, he comes I know,
onely to bring me fresh molestation;
and to serve Cyrena's end, I'le let him go on
in the delusion.

Am.
Here comes Cleander too,
he knows not she knows he is alive,
and I'le leave him in his ignorance,
& so perplex him, & strew his way with thorns;
I'le make him weary of it, and glad at last, when
he can't go forwards to return back agen.

Pri.
Dearest Madam, if at such a time,
when other widdows griefs are at the heighth,
I come to perswade you, let yours fall, and take
comfort i'th' place on't: I hope you'l pardon me,
when you shall see,
I bring you a full comfort, not an empty one
of words onely, whilst in lieu
of your dead husband,
I come to offer you a living one;
and such an one, 'tmay be no boast to say,
(adde but your esteem to't) does every way
equal Cleander.—I mean my self.

Er.
This falls out happily
to my desire;—
(Aside.
my Lord, although you might justly wonder
I shud so soon be comforted, and so far forget
my first Lord, to accept a second;
whilst other widdows strictness is so great,
first days of their widowhood, they scarce admit
so much as the light it self to comfort them,
(the general comforter of all the world)
yet coming in so honourable a way
as marriage, I know not what to say;
but were I assur'd your Highness intents
were but as honourable and real.—

Pri.
The words and actions of dying men
are not more real I swear.

Er.
There are those who love you,
dearly love you (I can tell you that)
though their shames wo'nt suffer them to declare so much.

Pr.
And why so?

Er.
To hide their shames then, come but i'th'
dark to night unto my chamber.—

Pr.
Enough.

Er.
And there
after the holy vows of marriage.—

Pri.
I understand.

Er.
You shall enjoy her for your wife.—

Pr.
Oh me most happy! you overjoy me Madam.

Er.
Go then, and do not fail.

Pr.
Which if I do,
may I fail to live.

Exit.
Er.
Now for Cyrena, she
shall change habits, and vail'd appear like me:
pardon me sacred truth, if in so good a cause
I transgress a little, 'tis not to violate thy laws,
but preserve them from greater violation.

Exit.
Cle.
Why, she's married already.

Am.
Can you blame her? believing you dead,
and you letting her go on in the belief.

Cle.
No matter, let her go on her way,
I'le go mine.—

Am.
And lose your self.

Cle.
And trace her through all her wayes.

Am.
And erre in all, do'nt you see;
you are just like one, who entring a Labyrinth,
farther he goes, the farther still he strayes;
or one puzzled with tying a Gordian knot,
which he can ne're untie.

Cle.
How y'are deceiv'd!
I do but as Hunters now,
who following the Chase, minde not so much their way,
nor pains they take, as taking of the prey;
and for the Gordian knot you speak of, I
know how to cut that which I can't unty.

Am.
Had you not better
discover your self now, and do that with ease,
you can't do else, without much toyl and pain,

Cle.
Have patience a little.
there are farther mysteries yet I must reveal,
e're I reveal my self, especially
that of the boyes concealment.

Am.
Of that I'le say
nothing, 'cause I know not what to say;
but for the rest I dare engage my life,
and shud dye martyr in so good a cause;
she is all honorable, and honor & she are twins,
and so alike 'twere no mistake to say,
Erminia is honour, and honour Erminia.

Am.
Well, to night we shall know all,
mean time leaving you in your belief,
leave me in mine.

Exeunt several wayes.