Fal.  Can you or he do so?

Alcan.  I do not say I can; but tell me then,
Where be the Virtues of this mighty Man,
That he should brave it over all the rest?

Pis.  Faith, he has many Virtues, and much Courage; And merits it as well as you or I:  Orgulius was grown old.

Alcan.  What then?

Pis.  Why then he was unfit for’t, But that he had a Daughter that was young.

Alcan.  Yes, he might have lain by,
Like rusty Armour, else,
Had she not brought him into play again;
The Devil take her for’t.

Fal.  By Jove, he’s dissatisfy’d with every thing.

Alcan.  She has undone my Prince,
And he has most unluckily disarm’d himself,
And put the Sword into his Rival’s hand,
Who will return it to his grateful Bosom.

Phi.  Why, you believe Alcippus honest—­

Alcan.  Yes, in your sense, Pisaro,
But do not like the last demand he made;
’Twas but an ill return upon his Prince,
To beg his Mistress, rather challeng’d her.

Pis.  His ignorance that she was so, may excuse him.

Alcan.  The Devil ’twill, dost think he knew it not?

Pis.  Orgulius still design’d him for Erminia; And if the Prince be disoblig’d from this, He only ought to take it ill from him.

Alcan.  Too much, Pisaro, you excuse his Pride, But ’tis the Office of a Friend to do so.

Pis.  ’Tis true, I am not ignorant of this,
That he despises other Recompence
For all his Services, but fair Erminia,
I know ’tis long since he resign’d his Heart,
Without so much as telling her she conquer’d;
And yet she knew he lov’d; whilst she, ingrate,
Repay’d his Passion only with her Scorn.

Alcan.  In loving him, she’d more ingrateful prove To her first Vows, to Reason, and to Love.

Pis.  For that, Alcander, you know more than I.

Fal.  Why sure Aminta will instruct her better, She’s as inconstant as the Seas and Winds, Which ne’er are calm but to betray Adventurers.

Alcan.  How came you by that knowledg, Sir?

Fal.  What a Pox makes him ask me that question now? [Aside.

Pis.  Prithee, Alcander, now we talk of her,
How go the Amours ’twixt you and my wild Sister? 
Can you speak yet, or do you tell your tale
With Eyes and Sighs, as you were wont to do?

Alcan.  Faith, much at that old rate, Pisaro,
I yet have no incouragement from her
To make my Court in any other language.

Pis.  You’ll bring her to’t, she must be overcome, And you’re the fittest for her fickle Humour.