Volume Iv Part 61 (1/2)

--Here thou mayst finish now the Life thou threaten'st.

_Cur._ Now, Sir, you know my Justice and my Power; Yet since my Prince can shed a Tear for _Cloris_, I can forgive him; here, Sir,--send me to _Cloris_, [Kneels, and offers his Sword.

That Mercy possibly will redeem the rest Of all the Wrongs you've done me; And you shall find nothing but Sorrow here, And a poor broken Heart that did adore you.

_Fred._ Rise, _Curtius_, and divide my Dukedom with me; Do any thing that may preserve thy Life, And gain my Pardon; alas, thy Honour's safe, Since yet none knows that _Cloris_ was thy Sister, Or if they do, I must proclaim this truth; She dy'd thy Prince's Wife.

_Cur._ These Tidings would be welcome to my Sister, And I the fitting'st Man to bear that News.

[Offers to stab himself; is held by _Frederick_, _Laura_, and _Cloris_, who come in with _Isabella_, dress'd like _Philibert_, and the rest.

_Lau._ Stay, _Curtius_, and take me with thee in the way.

_Cur._ _Laura_, my dearest _Laura_! how came you hither?

_Lau._ Commanded by your Letter; have you forgot it?

_Fred._ _Curtius_, look here, is this not _Cloris'_ Face?

_Cur._ The same; Oh my sweet Sister, is it thee?

[_Curtius_ goes to embrace her, she goes back.

_Fred._ Do not be shy, my Soul, it is thy Brother.

_Cur._ Yes, a Brother who despis'd his Life, When he believ'd yours lost or sham'd: But now the Prince will take a care of it.

_Clo._ May I believe my Soul so truly bless'd?

_Fred._ Yes, _Cloris_, and thus low I beg thy pardon [Kneels.

For all the Fears that I have made thee suffer.

Enter all the rest, first _Antonio_ and _Alberto_, without their Vizors.

_Clo._ Rise, Sir, it is my Duty and my Glory.

_Alb._ Sir, we have Pardons too to beg of you.

_Fred._ _Antonio_ and _Alberto_, what, turn'd Bravoes?

_Cur._ I am amaz'd.

_Ant._ You'll cease your Wonder, Sir, when you shall know, --Those Braves which formerly belong'd to you, Are now maintain'd by me; which _Pietro_ hir'd For this night's service; and from them we learnt What was to be done, (though not on whom) But that we guess'd, and thought it but our duty To put this Cheat on _Curtius_; Which had we seen had been resolv'd to kill you, Had been by us prevented: The Ladies too would needs be Curtezans To serve your Highness.

_Fred._ I'm much oblig'd to them, as you.

--_Cloris_, a while I'll leave thee with thy Brother, Till I have reconcil'd thee to my Father: To marry me, is what he long has wish'd for, And will, I know, receive this News with Joy. [Exit Prince.

_Lor._ Here's fine doings; what am I like to come to if he Turn honest now? This is the worst piece of Inconstancy He ever was guilty of; to change ones Humour, or so, Sometimes, is nothing: but to change Nature, To turn good on a sudden, and never give a Man Civil warning, is a Defeat not be endur'd; I'll see the end on't though. [Goes out.

_Alb._ Here, _Antonio_--imagine how I love thee, Who make thee such a Present.

[Gives him _Clarina_, who is dressed just as _Ismena_ was, and _Ismena_ in a Masquing Habit.

_Ant._ _Clarina_, can you pardon my Offence, And bless me with that Love, You have but justly taken from me?