Volume Iii Part 96 (1/2)

_Er_. Upon my knees I beg to be obey'd, [_She kneels_.

--But if I must not, here discharge your Anger.

_Phi_. You are too great a Tyrant where you may.

[_Exeunt_ Erminia _and_ Alcippus.

_Phi_. Stay, shall I let her go? shall her Commands, Though they have power to take my Life away, Have force to suffer me to injure her?

Shall she be made a prey, and I permit it, Who only have the interest to forbid it?

--No, let me be accurst then.

[_Offers to follow_.

_Alcan_. What mean you, Sir?

_Phi_. Force the bold Ravisher to resign my Right.

_Alcander_, is not she my Wife, and I his Prince?

_Alcan_. 'Tis true, Sir: And y'ave both power and justice on your side; And there are times to exercise 'em both.

_Phi_. Fitter than this, _Alcander_?

_Alcan_. This night _Erminia's_ Promise may repose you; To morrow is your own-- Till then I beg you'd think your interest safe.

_Phi. Alcander_, thou hast peace about thee, and canst judge Better than I, 'twixt what is just and fit.

[_Puts up his Sword_.

I hitherto believ'd my Flame was guided By perfect Reason: so we often find Vessels conducted by a peaceful Wind, And meet no opposition in their way, Cut a safe pa.s.sage through the flattering Sea: But when a Storm the bounding Vessel throws, It does each way with equal rage oppose; For when the Seas are mad, could that be calm Like me, it wou'd be ruin'd in the Storm.

[_Exeunt_.

ACT III.

SCENE I. _The apartments of_ Alcippus.

_Enter_ Alcippus _and_ Pisaro.

_Pis_. 'Tis much, my Lord, you'll not be satisfy'd.

_Alcip_. Friends.h.i.+p's too near a-kin to Love, _Pisaro_, To leave me any Peace, whilst in your Eyes I read Reserves, which 'tis not kind to hide; --Come, prithee tell me what the quarrel was, And who 'twas with; thou shalt, my dear _Pisaro_.

_Pis_. Nay, now you urge me to impossibility: Good faith, I cannot tell, but guess the Prince.

_Alcip_. 'Tis true, _Pisaro_, 'twas indeed the Prince.

But what was th'occasion?

_Pis_. He call'd me Spy, and I return'd th'affront, But took no notice that he was my Prince: It was a Folly I repented of; But 'twas in a d.a.m.n'd melancholy Mood.

_Alcip_. Was it a going in or coming out?

_Pis_. From whence?