Chapter 67

_Enter_ Philander, Alcander, Galatea, Aminta, _and_ Falatius.

_Fal_. Ah, fly, Sir, fly from what I have to tell you.

_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’.riginal.

_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 Petition which I made you Might have inform’d you why these Knees are bow’d; ’.was but this night I did confess I lov’d him, And you would have allow’d that Passion in me, Had he not been _Erminia’s_: And can you question now what this Address meant?

_Org_. Remember, Sir, _Erminia_ was my Daughter.

_Gal_. And, Sir, remember that I am your Daughter.

_Org_. And shall the Traitor live that murder’d her?

_Gal_. And will you by his Death, Sir, murder me? In dear _Erminia’s_ Death too much is done; If you revenge that Death, ‘tis two for one.

_Org_. Ah, Sir, to let him live’s unjust in you.

_Gal_. And killing me, you more injustice do.

_Org. Alcippus_, Madam, merits not your Love, That could so cruel to _Erminia_ prove.

_Gal_. If Lovers could be rul’d by Reason’s Laws, For this complaint on him we’ad had no cause. ’.was Love that made him this rash act commit; Had she been kind, ‘t had taught him to submit. --But might it not your present Griefs augment, I’d say that you deserve this punishment, By forcing her to marry with the General; By which you have destroy’d _Philander_ too, And now you would _Alcippus’. Life undo.

_Org_. That was a fault of duty to your Majesty.

_King_. Though that were honest, ‘twere not wisely done; For had I known the passion of my Son, And how essential ‘twas to his content I willingly had granted my consent; Her Worth and Beauty had sufficient been T’ave rais’d her to the Title of a Queen. Did not my glorious Father, great _Gonzal_, Marry the Daughter of his Admiral? And I might to my Son have been as kind, As then my Father did my Grandsire find.

_Org_. You once believ’d that I had guilty been, And had the Punishment, but not the Sin; I suffer’d when ‘twas thought I did aspire, And should by this have rais’d my crimes yet higher.

_King_. How did _Philander_ take _Erminia’s_ death?

_Gal_. My own surprize and grief was so extream, I know not what effects it had in him; But this account of him, I’m forc’d to give, Since she is dead, I know he cannot live.

_King_. I’ll know _Philander’s_ fate e’er I proceed; And if he die, _Alcippus_ too shall bleed.

[_Exeunt_.