University of Virginia Library

Scena, 11.

The Prince, Cyrena vail'd, Cleander the other way.
Pr.
Who's that that knocks so rudely? ha! the
Duke and Duchess; no matter, fear not,
fear not my Erminia, for now th'art mine.

Duc.
Shame of thy honour, a Prince, and own
a base ignoble strumpet for thy wife!

Clea.
Now now,—how's this?

Cy.
I am nor base, nor strumpet,
but as great a Princess as your self,
Princess of Argos.

Draws to kill them when she unveils.
Enter Leontius.
Pr.
Ha! Cyrena!

Duc.
And Aurindo she! how was I deceiv'd?

Leo.
The Princess already discover'd!

Clea.
Now all of the boy is clear,
but that the news of my death shud strike her no more.—

Am.
Thunder cod not have more
struck her you saw, till I assured her
'twas false, and onely invented to deceive her,
when she to assist the Princess in her love
turn'd the deceit on them.

Clea.
Enough, enough,
now all have cast off their vizards,
'tis time to cast off mine, I'le instantly go
and discover my self unto her.

Exit.
Alt.
Whither goes the Moor in such haste I
wonder?
I'le after him and see.

Exit.
Pr.
Wonder and amazement seizes me!

Cy.
Wonder not Prince,
nor admire your Page shud turn your handmaid now,
this is the least miracle that love can do;
I am that Cyrena you promis'd marriage to
at Argos, who have hither to Missena follow'd you
to claim your promise which now y'ave anew confirm'd.

Pr.
Miracle of constancy!
compar'd with your goodness,
my ill appears so great, methinks
no penance can be great enough for expiating it.

Cy.
This shall be all your penance, and this.

(Embraces him.
Pr.
And this is the onely one that I desire.

Duc.
Now Madam I hope you'l pardon me,
for putting you to the proof and declaration of
your sex, which I suspected through your disguise,

Cy.
There needs no pardon Madam;
where the offence was to Aurindo, not to me.

Enter Althea.
Duk.
But where's Erminia all this while,
the great Architectress of all this plot?

Alt.
For her you shall finde her there within,
in the Moors arms straitly embrac't, (my Lord)
and by this time perhaps in bed together too.

Duc.
Was ever a more lascivious strumpet?

Duk.
Where are our Guards?
go fetch her hither strait
with her fair Paramour; so foul an act as this
deserves a publick shame and punishment,
however in private done.

Cy.
Erminia thus dishonour her self! or honour
with justice is fled to heaven, and there
is none on earth, or else all this is false.