Volume Iii Part 105 (2/2)

_Alcan_. What's the news?

_Fal_. Ah, Sir, the dismal'st heavy news that e'er was told or heard.

_Gal_. No matter, out with it.

_Fal. Erminia_, Madam--

_Phi. Erminia_, what of her?

_Fal_. Is dead, Sir.

_Alcan_. What, hast thou lost thy Wits?

_Fal_. I had them not about me at the sight, I else had been undone: Alas, _Erminia's_ dead, Murder'd, and dead.

_Alcan_. It cannot be, thou ly'st.

_Fal_. By _Jove_, I do not, Sir, I saw her dead: Alas, I ran as I was wont to do, Without demanding licence, to her Chamber, But found her not, as I was wont to do, [_The Women weep_.

In a gay humour, but stone-dead and cold.

_Phi. Alcander_, am I awake?--or being so, Dost not perceive this senseless Flesh of mine Hardened into a cold benumbed Statue?

--Methinks--it does--support me--or I fall; And so--shall break to pieces-- [_Falls into his Arms. He leads him out_.

_Gal_. Ah, lovely Maid, was this thy destiny?

Did Heaven create thy Beauties to this end?

--I must distrust their Bounties, who neglected The best and fairest of their handy-work; This will incourage Sin, when Innocence Must perish thus, and meet with no defence.

_Enter the_ King _and_ Orgulius.

_Org_. If murder'd Innocence do cry for Justice, Can you, great Sir, make a defence against it?

_King_. I think I cannot.

_Org_. Sir, as you are pious, as you are my King, The Lover and Protector of your People, Revenge _Erminia's_ Murder on _Alcippus_.

_Gal_. If e'er my Mother, Sir, were dear to you, As from your Tears I guest whene'er you nam'd her; If the remembrance of those Charms remain, Whose weak resemblance you have found in me, For which you oft have said you lov'd me dearly; Dispense your mercy, and preserve this Copy, Which else must perish with th'Original.

_King_. Why all this Conjuration, _Galatea_?

_Gal_. To move you, Sir, to spare _Alcippus'_ Life.

_King_. You are unjust, if you demand a Life Must fall a Sacrifice to _Erminia's_ Ghost, That is a debt I have ingag'd to pay.

_Gal_. Sir, if that Promise be already past, And that your Word be irrevocable, I vow I will not live a moment after him.

_King_. How, _Galatea_! I'd rather hop'd you'd join'd Your Prayers with his.

_Gal_. Ah, Sir, the late Pet.i.tion which I made you Might have inform'd you why these Knees are bow'd; 'Twas but this night I did confess I lov'd him, And you would have allow'd that Pa.s.sion in me, Had he not been _Erminia's_: And can you question now what this Address meant?

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