Part 14 (1/2)

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 n.o.ble 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 pa.s.sed 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.

SCENE XVII.

JUSTINA and LYSANDER.

JUSTINA. I reply but with my tears.

LYSANDER. Tears as vain as they are tardy.

What an act was mine, Justina, When to thee my lips imparted Who thou art! Oh, would I never Told thee, that upon the margin Of a rivulet in this forest, A dead mother's womb here cast thee!

JUSTINA. I....

LYSANDER. Do not attempt excuses.

JUSTINA. Heaven will make them, then, hereafter

LYSANDER. When too late, perhaps.

JUSTINA. No limit Can be late here while life lasteth.