Org.  Though by his fondness led he were content
To marry thee, the King would ne’er consent. 
Cease then this fruitless Passion, and incline
Your Will and Reason to agree with mine,
Alcippus I dispos’d you to before,
And now I am inclin’d to it much more. 
Some days I had design’d t’have given thee
To have prepar’d for this solemnity;
But now my second thoughts believe it fit,
You should this night to my desires submit.

Er.  This night!  Ah, Sir, what is’t you mean to do?

Org.  Preserve my Credit, and thy Honour too.

Er.  By such resolves you me to ruin bring.

Org.  That’s better than to disoblige my King.

Er.  But if the King his liking do afford,
Would you not with Alcippus break your word? 
Or would you not to serve your Prince’s life,
Permit your Daughter to become his Wife?

Org.  His Wife, Erminia! if I did believe
Thou could’st to such a thought a credit give,
I would the interest of a Father quit,
And you, Erminia, have no need of it: 
Without his aid you can a Husband chuse;
Gaining the Prince you may a Father lose.

Er.  Ah, Sir, these words are Poniards to my Heart;
And half my Love to Duty does convert;
Alas, Sir, I can be content to die,
But cannot suffer this Severity:  [Kneels. 
That care you had, dear Sir, continue still,
I cannot live and disobey your will. [Rises.

Org.  This duty has regain’d me, and you’ll find
A just return; I shall be always kind. 
—­Go, reassume your Beauty, dry your Eyes;
Remember ’tis a Father does advise. [Goes out.

Er.  Ungrateful Duty, whose uncivil Pride
By Reason is not to be satisfy’d;
Who even Love’s Almighty Power o’erthrows,
Or does on it too rigorous Laws impose;
Who bindest up our Virtue too too strait,
And on our Honour lays too great a weight. 
Coward, whom nothing but thy power makes strong;
Whom Age and Malice bred t’affright the young;
Here thou dost tyrannize to that degree,
That nothing but my Death will set me free.

[Ex.  Erm. and Isil.

SCENE IV.  Philander’s Apartments.

Enter Philander and Alcander.

Phil.  Urge it no more, your Reasons do displease me;
I offer’d her a Crown with her Philander,
And she was once pleas’d to accept of it. 
She lov’d me too, yes, and repaid my flame,
As kindly as I sacrific’d to her: 
The first salute we gave were harmless Love,
Our Souls then met, and so grew up together,
Like sympathizing Twins. 
And must she now be ravish’d from my Arms? 
Will you, Erminia, suffer such a Rape? 
What though the King have said it shall be so,
’Tis not his pleasure can become thy Law,