Ger. Then ‘twas an Apparition.
Ors. Away—thou’st often told me of such Fooleries, And I as often did reprove thee for’t.
Ger. From whence, or how should any living thing get hither?
Ors. It dropt, perhaps, from Heaven, or how, I know not; But here it was, a solid living thing; You might have heard how long we talk’d together.
Ger. I heard you talk, which brought me to this place, And found you struggling on the ground alone; But what you meant I know not.
Ors. ‘Tis so—I grant you that it was a Vision
—How strong is Fancy!—yet—it is impossible—
Have I not yet the Musick of its Words?
Like answering Echoes less’ning by degrees,
Inviting all the yielding Sense to follow.
Have not my Lips (that fatally took in—
Unrest from ev’ry touch of that fair Hand)
The sweet remains of warmth receiv’d from thence,
Besides the unerring Witness of my Eyes?
And can all these deceive me? tell me, can they?
Ger. Most certainly they have.
Ors. Then let the Gods take back what they so vainly gave.
Ger. Cease to offend, and they will cease to punish.
Ors. But why a Woman? cou’d they secure my Faith By nothing more afflicting?