Volume I Part 84 (1/2)

[In great Rage.

_Ant._ What said my fairest Mistress?

[Goes to her looking softly.

_Hip._ I said that thou wert perjur'd, false and base.

[Less in Rage.

_Ant._ My dear _Hippolyta_, speak it again, I do not understand thee, [Takes her by the Hand.

_Hip._ I said that thou wert perjur'd, my _Antonio_. [Sighs.

_Ant._ Thou wert to blame, but 'twas thy Jealousy.

Which being a Fault of Love I will excuse.

Give me that Mark of Anger, prithee do, It misbecomes thy Hand.

_Hip._ I've nothing left but this I can command, And do not ravish this too.

_Ant._ It is unkind thus to suspect my Love; Will you make no Allowance for my Humour?

I am by Nature rough, and cannot please, With Eyes and Words all soft as others can, But I can love as truly my blunt way.

_Hip._ You were so soft when first you conquer'd me.

[Sighs.

That but the Thoughts of that dear Face and Eyes, So manag'd, and so set for Conquest out, Would make me kind even to another Man; Could I but thus imbrace and hide my Eyes, And call him my _Antonio_.

[She leans on his Bosom, he the while gets her Dagger.

_Ant._ Stand off, false Woman, I despise thy Love, Of which to every Man I know thou deal'st An equal share.

_Hip._ I do not wonder that I am deceiv'd, But that I should believe thee, after all thy Treachery.

But prithee tell me why thou treat'st me thus?

Why didst thou with the sacred Vows of Marriage, After a long and tedious Courts.h.i.+p to me, Ravish me from my Parents and my Husband?

For so the brave _Alonzo_ was by promise.

_Ant._ Why, I will tell thee; 'twas not love to thee, But hatred to thy Brother Don _Marcel_, Who made Addresses to the fair _Clarinda_, And by his Quality destroy'd my Hopes.

_Hip._ And durst you not revenge your self on him?

_Ant._ His Life alone could not appease my Anger; And after studying what I had to do--

_Hip._ The Devil taught thee this.

_Ant._ Yes, and you I chose, Because you were contracted to _Alonzo_, That the disgrace might be more eminent.

_Hip._ I do believe thee, for when I reflect On all thy Usage since thou hast betray'd me, I find thou hast not paid me back one Sigh, Or Smile for all that I have given thee.

_Ant._ Hear me out.

_Hip._ Most calmly.