University of Virginia Library

Scene XVI.

The Governor enters with Lysander and attendants.— Justina, Lelius, and Florus.
All who enter.
Hold! stand back!

Justina.
Unhappy me!

Governor.
What is this? But empty scabbards,
Naked swords, are quite sufficient
To inform me what has happened.

Justina.
What misfortune!

Lysander.
What affliction!—

Lelius.
Ah, my lord ...

Governor.
Enough, no farther.
Lelius, thou a son of mine,
A disturber? Thou a scandal
To all Antioch through my favour?

Lelius.
Think, my lord ...

Governor.
Arrest, disarm them,
Take them hence. Make no distinction
On account of blood or rank here.
Let them suffer both alike,
Since in guilt alike they acted.

Lelius
(aside).
I came jealous, and go outraged.

Florus
(aside).
To my pains new pains are added.

Governor.
In distinct and separate prisons,
And with watchful eyes to guard them,
Place the two.—And you, Lysander,
Is it possible you have tarnished
Such a noble reputation,
Suffering. ...

Lysander.
No; let not these dazzling
False appearances mislead you,
For Justina in what happened
Was quite blameless.

Governor.
In her house here,
Would you have her live regardless
Of the fact that they were young,
And that she was fair? My anger
I restrain, lest people say,
I, an interested party,
Sentence passed as partial judge.—
But of you who caused this quarrel,
Now that maiden shame has left you,
Well I know that you will glad me
With the occasion I desire,
Of exposing, of unmasking,
In the light of actual vices,
The false virtuous part you've acted.

[Exeunt The Governor and his attendants; Lelius and Florus follow as prisoners.