Eu.  Alas, how sped the silly Louers then?

Phy.  As might euen grieue the rude vnciuilst men: 
When here vpon to weane his fixed heart
From such dishonour to his high desert
The Duke had labourd but in vaine did striue,
Thus he began his purpose to contriue: 
Two of his seruants, of vndoubted trvth,
He bound by vertue of a solemne oath
To traine the silly damzel out of sight
And there in secret to bereaue her quite—­

Eu.  Of what? her life?

Phy.  Yes, Madame, of her life, Which was the cause of all the former strife.

Eu.  And did they kill her?

Phy.  You shall heare anon;
The question first must be discided on
In your opinion:  whats your iudgement? say. 
Who were most cruell, those that did obay
Or he who gaue commandment for the fact?

Eu.  In each of them it was a bloody act, Yet they deserue (to speake my minde of both) Most pardon that were bound thereto by oath.

Phy.  It is enough; we do accept your doome To passe vnblam’d what ere of you become.

Eu.  To passe vnblam’de what ere become of me!  What may the meaning of these speeches be?

Phy. Eurymine, my trembling tongue doth faile, My conscience yrkes, my fainting sences quaile, My faltring speech bewraies my guiltie thought And stammers at the message we haue brought.

Eu.  Ay me! what horror doth inuade my brest!

Or.  Nay then, Phylander, I will tell the rest: 
Damzell, thus fares thy case; demand not why,
You must forthwith prepare your selfe to dye;
Therefore dispatch and set your mind at rest.

Eu. Phylander, is it true or doth he iest?

Phy.  There is no remedie but you must dye: 
By you I framde my tragicke history. 
The Duke my maister is the man I meant,
His sonne the Prince, the mayde of meane discent
Your selfe, on whom Ascanio so doth doate
As for no reason may remoue his thought
Your death the Duke determines by vs two,
To end the loue betwixt his sonne and you;
And for this cause we trainde you to this wood,
Where you must sacrifice your dearest blood.

Eu.  Respect my teares.

Orest.  We must regard our oath.

Eu.  My tender yeares.

Or.  They are but trifles both.

Eu.  Mine innocency.

Or.  That would our promise breake; Dispatch forthwith, we may not heare you speake.

Eu.  If neither teares nor innocency moue, Yet thinke there is a heavenly power aboue.

Orest.  A done, and stand not preaching here all day.

Eu.  Then, since there is no remedie, I pray Yet, good my masters, do but stay so long Till I haue tane my farewell with a song Of him whom I shall neuer see againe.