Volume I Part 75 (1/2)

_Mar._ Why, dost thou know it then?

Stand by, I shall forget thou art my Friend else, And thro thy Heart reach hers.

_Alon._ Nothing but Love could animate him thus, He is my Rival. [Aside.

_Marcel_, I will not quit one inch of Ground; Do what thou dar'st, for know I do adore her, And thus am bound by Love to her Defence.

[Offers to fight _Marcel_, who retires in wonder.

_Euph._ Hold, n.o.ble Stranger, hold.

_Mar._ Have you such Pity on your Lover there?

[Offers to kill her, _Alonzo_ stays him.

_Euph._ Help, help. [Her Veil falls off.

Enter _Hippolyta_ drest like a Curtezan: Sees _Marcel._

_Hip._ Oh G.o.ds, my Brother! in pity, Sir, defend me From the just Rage of that incensed Man.

[_Runs behind _Lovis_, whilst _Marcel_ stands gazing on both with wonder._

_Lov._ I know not the meaning of all this, but However I'll help the Lady in Distress.

Madam, you're safe, whilst I am your Protector.

[Leads her out.

_Mar._ I've lost the Power of striking where I ought, Since my misguided Hand so lately err'd.

Oh Rage, dull senseless Rage, how blind and rude It makes us.

Pardon, fair Creature, my unruly Pa.s.sion, And only blame that Veil which hid that Face, Whose Innocence and Beauty had disarm'd it: I took you for the most perfidious Woman, The falsest loosest thing.

_Alon._ How! are you a Stranger to her?

_Mar._ Yes I am. Have you forgiven me, Madam?

_Euph._ Sir, I have. [_Marcel_ bows and offers to go out.

_Alon._ Stay, Friend, and let me know your Quarrel.

_Mar._ Not for the World, _Alonzo_.

_Alon._ This is unfriendly, Sir.

_Mar._ Thou dost delay me from the n.o.blest Deed, On which the Honour of my House depends, A Deed which thou wilt curse thy self for hindring Farewel. [Goes out.

_Alon._ What can the meaning of this be?

_Euph._ Oh do not ask, but let us quickly leave this dangerous Place.

_Alon._ Does it not belong to you?

_Euph._ No, but you would like me the better if it did: for, Sir, it is a--