Volume Iv Part 61 (2/2)

_Clar._ You wrong me, Sir, I ne'er withdrew my Heart, Though you, but too unkindly, did your Confidence.

_Ant._ Do not upbraid me; that I was so to blame, Is shame enough: pray pardon, and forget it.

_Clar._ I do.

_Ant._ _Alberto_, to shew my Grat.i.tude in what I may, I beg you would receive _Ismena_ from me.

_Alb._ Who's this?

_Ant._ Ismena, whom I promis'd thee.

_Alb._ It is _Clarina_; do you mock my Pain? [Shows _Ismena_.

_Ant._ By Heaven, not I; this is _Clarina_, Sir.

_Alb._ That thy Wife _Clarina!_ A Beauty which till now I never saw.

_Ant._ Sure thou art mad, didst thou not give her me but now, And hast not entertain'd her all this night?

_Alb._ Her Habit and her Vizard did deceive me; I took her for this lady,--Oh bless'd Mistake!

_Ism._ I see you're in the dark, but I'll unfold the Riddle, --Sir, in the Pa.s.sage from the Monastery, Attended only by my Confessor, A Gentleman, a Pa.s.senger, in the same Boat, Address'd himself to me; And made a many little Courts.h.i.+ps to me: I being veil'd, he knew not who receiv'd them, Nor what Confusion they begot in me.

At the first sight, I grew to great esteems of him, But when I heard him speak-- I'm not asham'd to say he was my Conqueror.

_Alb._ Oh, Madam, was it you?

Who by your Conversation in that Voyage, Gave me Disquiets, Which nothing but your Eyes could reconcile again?

_Ism._ 'Twas I whom you deceiv'd with some such Language.

--After my coming home I grew more melancholy, And by my silence did increase my Pain; And soon _Clarina_ found I was a Lover, Which I confess'd at last, and nam'd the Object.

She told me of your Friends.h.i.+p with _Antonio_, And gave me hopes that I again should see you: --But _Isabella_ over-heard the Plot, Which, Sir, _Antonio_ did contrive with you, To make a feigned Courts.h.i.+p to _Clarina_, And told us all the story.

_Alb._ Oh, how I'm ravish'd with my Happiness!

_Ism._ _Clarina_, Sir, at first was much inrag'd, And vow'd she would revenge her on _Antonio_; But I besought her to be pleas'd again, And said I would contrive a Counter-Plot, Should satisfy her Honour and Revenge.

Thus, Sir, I got a Garment like to hers; And to be courted, though but in jest, by you, I run all hazards of my Brother's Anger, And your opinion of my Lightness too.

_Clar._ 'Twas a Temptation, Sir, I would not venture on, Lest from the reasons of a just Revenge, And so much Beauty as _Alberto_ own'd, My Virtue should not well secure your Interest.

_Ant._ But why, _Ismena_, was that killing Plot, When I was hid behind the Arras? for now I confess all.

_Ism._ To make _Alberto_ confident of my Love, And try his Friends.h.i.+p to the utmost point.

--_Alberto_ too I found had some reserves, Which I believ'd his Amity to you.

_Alb._ Yes, Madam, whilst I took you for his Wife, I thought it crime enough but to adore you; But now I may with honour own my Pa.s.sion: I will, _Ismena_, confidently a.s.sure you, That I will die, unless you pity me.

_Ism._ She that durst tell you, Sir, how much she lov'd, When you believ'd it was a Sin to do so, Will now make good that Promise with _Antonio's_ leave.

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