Chapter 57

_Enter_ Philander _and_ Alcander _with a Light_.

_Alcan_. He’s gone, whoe’er he be.

_Phi_. It could not be _Alcippus_.

_Alcan_. I rather fear _Pisaro_, --But we soon enough shall know: Who’s this?

_Enter_ Erminia _in her Night-gown, and_ lsillia _with Lights_.

_Er_. Methought I heard _Alcippus_ and the Prince Before the cry of Murder. I die if those two Rivals have encounter’d.

_Phi_. Ah, Madam, cease that fear, they both are safe From all but from the Wounds which you have given them.

_Er_. Oh Gods, what make you here! and where’s _Alcippus_?

_Phi_. Where I had been had Heaven been bountiful.

_Er_. Alas, Sir, what do you mean? what have you done? And where have you bestow’d him?

_Phi_. Why all this high concern, _Erminia_? Has he so reconcil’d you to him since I saw you last? This is not kind to me.

_Er_. Oh, tell me not of kindness, where’s _Alcippus_?

_Alcan_. Madam, of whom do you demand _Alcippus_? Neither of us have seen him.

_Phi_. Go, you are a Woman, a vain peevish Creature.

_Er_. Sir, ‘tis but just you should excuse my Fear, _Alcippus_ is my Husband, and his Safety Ought to become my care.

_Phi_. How, _Erminia_! Can you so soon yield up my right to him, And not blush whilst you own your Perjury?

_Er_. Now, Sir, you are much to blame; I could have borne the rest, but this concerns me: I fear I have but too well kept my Vows with you, Since you are grown but to suspect I have not.

_Phi_. Pardon me, Dear, the errors of my Passion; It was a Sin so natural, That even thy unkindly taking it Approach’d too near it, not to gain my Pardon; But tell me why you askt me for _Alcippus_?

_Er_. Sir, e’er I could dispose my Eyes to sleep, I heard the Musick at my Chamber-door, And such a Song as could be none but yours; But that was finish’d in a noise less pleasant, In that of Swords and Quarrel; And amongst which, I thought I heard yours and _Alcippus’. Voice: (For I have kept my word, and lay not with him) This brought me hither; but if I mistook, Once more I beg your pardon.

_Phi_. Thou hast restor’d me to a world of Joys, By what thou now hast said.

_Enter_ Alcippus, _his Sword in his Hand, a_ Page _with Light, he stands a while_.

_Alcip. Erminia_! and the Prince! embracing too! I dream, and know she could not be thus base, Thus false and loose-- But here I am inform’d it is no Vision; --This was design’d before, I find it now. [_Lays his hand on his heart_.

_Er. Alcippus_, oh my fears! [_Goes to them, takes her by the hand_.

_Alcip_. Yes, Madam, Too soon arriv’d for his and your repose.

_Phi. Alcippus_, touch her not.

_Alcip_. Not touch her! by Heaven, I will, And who shall hinder me? Who is’t dares say I shall not touch my Wife?

_Phi_. Villain, thou ly’st.

_Alcip_. That y’are my Prince shall not defend you here. Draw, Sir, for I have laid respect aside.

[_Strikes, they fight a little_, Alcippus _is wounded_, Alcander _supports him_.

_Er_. Oh Gods, what mean you? hold, _Philander_, hold.

_Phi_. Life of my Soul, retire, I cannot hear that Voice and disobey; And you must needs esteem him at low rates, Who sells thee and his Honour for a Tear.

_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 passage 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_.