Ind. You first betrayed your trust, in loving me;
And should not I my own advantage see? 
Serving my love, you may my friendship gain;
You know the rest of your pretences vain. 
You must, my Arimant, you must be kind: 
’Tis in your nature, and your noble mind.

Arim. I’ll to the king, and straight my trust resign.

Ind. His trust you may, but you shall never mine. 
Heaven made you love me for no other end,
But to become my confidant and friend: 
As such, I keep no secret from your sight,
And therefore make you judge how ill I write: 
Read it, and tell me freely then your mind;
If ’tis indited, as I meant it, kind.

Arim. I ask not heaven my freedom to restore, [Reading. But only for your sake—­I’ll read no more:  And yet I must—­ Less for my own, than for your sorrow sad—­ [Reading. Another line, like this, would make me mad—­ Heaven! she goes on—­yet more—­and yet more kind! [As reading. Each sentence is a dagger to my mind. See me this night—­ [Reading. Thank fortune, who did such a friend provide, For faithful Arimant shall be your guide. Not only to be made an instrument, But pre-engaged without my own consent!

Ind. Unknown to engage you still augments my score, And gives you scope of meriting the more.

Arim. The best of men
Some interest in their actions must confess;
None merit, but in hope they may possess. 
The fatal paper rather let me tear,
Than, like Bellerophon, my own sentence bear.

Ind. You may; but ’twill not be your best advice: 
’Twill only give me pains of writing twice. 
You know you must obey me, soon or late: 
Why should you vainly struggle with your fate?

Arim. I thank thee, heaven, thou hast been wondrous kind! 
Why am I thus to slavery designed,
And yet am cheated with a freeborn mind? 
Or make thy orders with my reason suit,
Or let me live by sense a glorious brute—­ [She frowns.
You frown, and I obey with speed, before
That dreadful sentence comes, See me no more:
See me no more! that sound, methinks, I hear
Like the last trumpet thundering in my ear.

  Enter SOLYMAN.

Solym. The princess Melesinda, bathed in tears,
And tossed alternately with hopes and fears,
If your affairs such leisure can afford,
Would learn from you the fortunes of her lord.

Arim. Tell her, that I some certainty may bring, I go this minute to attend the king.

Ind. This lonely turtle I desire to see:  Grief, though not cured, is eased by company.

Arim. [To SOLYM.] Say, if she please, she hither may repair, And breathe the freshness of the open air. [Exit SOLYM.