University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

Hercides advances, and the scene shuts.
Hercid.
O fool, O villain that I am—curs'd caitiff—
A witless villain!—might I not have found him?
Heaven can't be with him—no, 'tis gross to sense!
That I could be so deep a mole—so hoodwinkt—
Muffled to be bemired in guilt—O this
Entangling fiend, this ambient arch impostor!
My master, my dear master first betray'd,
His treasures plunder'd, and his smiling babes
Rent from his bosom!—this—Yet what is this,
To what ensues?—Mercy!—I overheard them—
The young and noble son wrought by yon tempter
To massacre a father—his reward,
The incestuous knowledge of a sister—Heaven!
Wer't thou but open to the eve of penitence!—
How'ere, it is enough—the present burden.
I'll to Sopheian—I'll confess, unfold
The freight of my offences—further guilt
Can only serve to sink a lower hell,
And deepen my damnation!—

[Exit.