Phy.  We will affoord that respit to your paine.

Eu.  But least the feare of death appall my mind, Sweet gentlemen, let me this fauour find, That you wil vale mine eyesight with this scarfe; That, when the fatall stroke is aymde at me, I may not start but suffer patiently.

Orest.  Agreed, giue me; Ile shadow ye from feare, If this may do it.

Eu.  Oh, I would it might, But shadowes want the power to do that right.

    Shee sings.

    Ye sacred Fyres and powers aboue,
    Forge of desires, working loue,
    Cast downe your eye, cast downe your eye,
    Vpon a Mayde in miserie. 
    My sacrifice is louers blood,
    And from eyes salt teares a flood;
    All which I spend, all which I spend,
    For thee, Ascanio, my deare friend: 
    And though this houre I must feele
    The bitter power of pricking steele,
    Yet ill or well, yet ill or well,
    To thee, Ascanio, still farewell.

        Orestes offers to strike her with his Rapier,
        and is stayed by Phylander.

Orest.  What meanes, Phylander?

Phy.  Oh, forbeare thy stroke; Her pitious mone and gesture might prouoke Hard flint to ruthe.

Orest.  Hast thou forgot thy oath?

Phy.  Forgot it? no!

Or.  Then wherefore doest thou interrupt me so?

Phy.  A sudden terror ouercomes my thought.

Or.  Then suffer me that stands in feare of nought.

Phy.  Oh, hold, Orestes; heare my reason first.

Or.  Is all religion of thy vowe forgot?  Do as thou wilt, but I forget it not.

Phy. Orestes, if thou standest vpon thine oath, Let me alone to answere for vs both.

Or.  What answer canst thou giue?  I wil not stay.

Phy.  Nay, villain; then my sword shall make me way.

Or.  Wilt thou in this against thy conscience striue?

Phy.  I will defend a woman while I liue, A virgin and an innocent beside; Therefore put vp or else thy chaunce abide.

Or.  Ile neuer sheath my sword vnles thou show, Our oath reserued, we may let her go.

Phy.  That will I do, if truth may be of force.

Or.  And then will I be pleasd to graunt remorse.

Eu.  Litle thought I, when out of doore I went, That thus my life should stand on argument.

Phy.  A lawfull oath in an vnlawfull cause
Is first dispenc’t withall by reasons lawes;
Then, next, respect must to the end be had,
Because th’intent doth make it good or bad. 
Now here th’intent is murder as thou seest,
Which to perform thou on thy oath reliest;
But, since the cause is wicked and vniust,
Th’effect must likewise be held odious: 
We swore to kill, and God forbids to kill;
Shall we be rulde by him or by man’s will? 
Beside it is a woman is condemde;
And what is he, that is a man indeed,
That can endure to see a woman bleed?