Fil. Why, cause thou’rt like Marcella?
Mar. That were sufficient reason for thy Hate,
But mine’s because thou hast betray’d her basely.
—She told me all the story of her Love,
How well you meant, how honestly you swore,
And with a thousand Tears imploy’d my Aid
To break the Contract she was forc’d to make
T’ Octavio, and give her to your Arms:
I did, and brought you word of our Design,
—I need not tell ye what returns you made;
Let it suffice, my Sister was neglected,
Neglected for a Curtezan,—a Whore;
I watcht, and saw each Circumstance of Falshood.
Jul. Damnation! what means this?
Fil. I scorn to save my Life by Lyes or Flatteries;
But credit me, the Visit that I made
I durst have sworn had been to my Marcella;
Her Face, her Eyes, her Beauty was the same,
Only the business of her Language differ’d,
And undeceiv’d my hope.
Mar. In vain thou think’st to flatter me to Faith,—
When thou’dst my Sister’s Letter in thy hand, which ended that dispute,
Even then I saw with what regret you read it;
What care you took to disobey it too—
The shivering Maid, half dead with fears and terrors of the Night,
In vain expected a Relief from Love or thee.
Draw, that I may return her the glad news I have reveng’d her.
Jul. Hold, much mistaken Youth; ‘tis I am Julio,
Thou, Fillamour, know’st my name, know’st I arriv’d
But yesterday at Rome, and heard the killing News
Of both my Sisters Flights, Marcella and Cornelia,—
And thou art some Imposture. [To Marcella.
Mar. If this now shou’d be true, I were in a fine condition.— [Aside.
Fil. Fled! Marcella fled!
Jul. ‘Twas she I told thee yesterday was lost; But why art thou concern’d?—explain the Mystery.
Fil. I lov’d her more than Life; nay, even than Heaven; And dost thou question my concern for her? Say how, and why, and whither is she fled?