Volume Iii Part 112 (1/2)

[_He offers to embrace him, but he is shy, and keeps a little off_.

Why dost receive me coldly? I'm in earnest; As I love Honour, and esteem thee generous, I mean thee nothing but a perfect Friends.h.i.+p; By all my hopes I've no more quarrels to thee, All ends in this Embrace, and to confirm it I give thee here my Sister to thy Wife.

_Alcip_. Your Pardon, Sir, I must refuse your bounty, till I know By what strange turn of Fate I came thus blest.

To you, my Prince, I've done unheard-of injuries, And though your Mercy do afford me life, With this rich present too; Till I could know I might deserve them both, That Life will prove a Plague, and this great Gift Turn to the torment of it.

_Phi. Alcippus_, 'tis not kind to doubt me still, Is this a present for a Man I hate?

_Alcip_. 'Tis true, Sir, and your bounty does amaze me; Can I receive a blessing of this magnitude With hands, yet have not wash'd away the sin Of your _Erminia's_ murder? think of that, Sir; For though to me it did appear most just, Yet you must hate the Man that has undone you.

_Gal_. I see _Erminia_ still usurps your thoughts.

_Alcip_. I must confess my Soul is scarce diverted Of that fond Pa.s.sion which I had for her; But I protest before the G.o.ds and you, Did she still live, and I might still possess her, I would refuse it, though I were ignorant Of what the G.o.ds and your fair self design me.

_Phi_. To doubt thee were a sin below my nature, And to declare my faith above my fear, Behold what I present thee with.

[_Goes out, and enters again with_ Erminia.

_Alcip_. Ha--_Erminia_? [_He looks afrighted_.

--It is the same appear'd to me last night, --And my deluded Fancy Would have persuaded me 'twas but a dream.

_Phi_. Approach her, Sir, 'tis no fantasm.

_Alcip_. 'Tis she her self, Oh G.o.ds, _Erminia_!

[_She goes a little back, as afraid, he kneels_.

--Ah, Madam, do not fear me in this posture, Which I will never quit till you have pardon'd me; It was a fault the most excusable, That ever wretched Lover did commit; And that which hinder'd me from following thee, Was that I could not well repent the Crime; But like a surly Sinner fac'd it out, And said, I thought 'twas just, yes, fair _Erminia_; Hadst thou been mine, I would i'th' face of Heaven, Proclaim it just and brave revenge: But, Madam, you were Wife to my Prince, And that was all my sin: Alas, in vain I hop'd for some return, And grew impatient of th'unkind delay, And frantickly I then out-run my happiness.

_Er_. Rise, I forgive thee, from my soul I do; Mayst thou be happier In thy more glorious Pa.s.sion for the Princess, And all the Joys thou e'er couldst hope from me, Mayst thou find there repeated.

_Enter_ King, Orgulius, _and the rest_.

_Org_. First, I'll keep my word with thee, Receive the welcome present which I promis'd.

[_Gives him_ Erminia, _she kneels_.

_Er_. Can you forgive the Griefs I've made you suffer?

_Org_. I can forgive, though 'twas not kind To let me languish in a desperate Error; Why was this Blessing hid from me alone?

_Er_. Ah, Sir, so well I knew you lov'd _Alcippus_, That had you known it e'er the Prince had own'd me, I fear you had restor'd me back again, A Sin too great to load your Soul withal.

_Org_. My King already has forgiven that Error, And now I come to make my Peace with thee, And that I may with greatest speed obtain it, --To you, Sir, I resign her with as much Joy, [_To the Prince_.

And when they undeceiv'd me Of my opinion of her being dead--

_Phi_. And I with greater Joy receive your gift.

[_Bows and takes her_.

_King_. My Lord _Alcippus_, are you pleas'd with this?