Am.  Alcander, you so many Vows have paid,
So many Sighs and Tears to many a Maid,
That should I credit give to what you say,
I merit being undone as well as they. 
—­No, no, Alcander, I’ll no more of that.

Alcan.  Farewel, Aminta, mayst thou want a Lover,
When I shall hate both thee and thy whole Sex;
I can endure your sober Cruelty,
But do despise it clad in Jollity.

[Exeunt severally.

SCENE V.

Discovers a Room hung with Black, a Hearse standing in it with
Tapers round about it, Alcippus weeping at it, with Isillia,
and other Women with long black Veils round about the Hearse.

Isil.  I humbly beg, my Lord, you would forbear.

Alcip.  Oh Isillia,
Thou knowest not what vast Treasure this incloses,
This sacred Pile; is there no Sorrow due to it? 
Alas, I bad her not farewel at parting. 
Nor did receive so much as one poor Kiss. 
—­Ah wretched, wretched Man!

    Enter the Prince.

How, the Prince! 
How suddenly my Grief submits to Rage.

Phi.  Alcippus, why dost thou gaze thus on me?  What Horror have I in my looks that frights thee?

Alcip.  Why, Sir, what makes you here? 
I have no more Wives, no more Erminias;
Alas, she is dead—­
Will you not give her leave to rest in peace?

Phi.  Is this the Gratitude you pay my Favours,
That gave ye life, after your wrongs to me? 
But ’twas my Sister’s Kindness that preserv’d thee
And I prefer’d my Vengeance to the Gods.

Alcip.  Your Sister is a Saint whom I adore; But I refuse a Life that comes from you.

Isil.  What mean you, Sir?

Alcip.  To speak a truth, as dying Men should do.

Phi.  Alcippus, for my Sister’s sake who loves you, I can bear more than this—­you know my power, And I can make you fear. [Offers to go out.

Alcip.  No, Prince, not whilst I am in love with dying.

Phi.  Your love to that I see has made you impudent.

Isil.  The Storm comes on, your Highness should avoid it.

Phi.  Let him give place, I’ll keep possession here.

Isil.  It is the Prince’s pleasure, Sir, you quit the Presence.

Alcip.  No, this I call my Home; And since Erminia’s here that does entitle it so, I will not quit the Presence.

Phi.  Gave thee a Title to’t, Alcippus?

Alcip.  Me, Philander!

        [They come to each other’s breast, and so draw.

Phi.  Thee.

Alcip.  Me, what dare you now?

Phi.  I dare declare that I can hear no more; Be witness, Heaven, how justly I’m compell’d.