Volume Iii Part 93 (1/2)

Dost know where my _Erminia_ lies to night?

_Alcan_. I guess, Sir.

_Phi_. Where? Nay, prithee speak, Indeed I shall not be offended at it.

_Alcan_. I know not why you should, Sir; She's where she ought, abed with young _Alcippus_.

_Phi_. Thou speak'st thy real Thoughts.

_Alcan_. Why should your Highness doubt it?

_Phi_. By Heaven, there is no faith in Woman-kind; _Alcander_, dost thou know an honest Woman?

_Alcan_. Many, Sir.

_Phi_. I do not think it, 'tis impossible; _Erminia_, if it could have been, were she, But she has broke her Vows, which I held sacred, And plays the wanton in another's arms.

_Alcan_. Sir, do you think it just to wrong her so?

_Phi_. Oh, would thou couldst persuade me that I did so.

Thou know'st the Oaths and Vows she made to me, Never to marry other than my self, And you, _Alcander_, wrought me to believe them.

But now her Vows to marry none but me, Are given to _Alcippus_, and in his bosom breath'd, With balmy whispers, whilst the ravisht Youth For every syllable returns a kiss, And in the height of all his extasy, _Philander's_ dispossess'd and quite forgotten.

Ah, charming Maid, is this your Love to me?

Yet now thou art no Maid, nor lov'st not me, And I the fool to let thee know my weakness.

_Alcan_. Why do you thus proceed to vex your self?

To question what you list, and answer what you please?

Sir, this is not the way to be at ease.

_Phi_. Ah, dear _Alcander_, what would'st have me do?

_Alcan_. Do that which may preserve you; Do that which every Man in love would do; Make it your business to possess the object.

_Phi_. What meanest thou, is she not married?--

_Alcan_. What then? she'as all about her that she had, Of Youth and Beauty she is Mistress still, And may dispose it how and where she will.

_Phi_. Pray Heaven I do not think too well of thee: What means all this discourse, art thou honest?

_Alcan_. As most Men of my Age.

_Phi_. And wouldst thou counsel me to such a Sin?

For--I do understand--thee.

_Alcan_. I know not what you term so.

_Phi_. I never thought thou'dst been so great a Villain, To urge me to a crime would d.a.m.n us all; Why dost thou smile, hast thou done well in this?

_Alcan_. I thought so, or I'ad kept it to my self.