Er. Softly, dear Sir, do not express that Joy,
Lest you destroy it by your doing so.
I fly for sanctuary to your Arms;
As yet none knows I live, but poor Isillia,
Who bathing of my cold face with her tears,
Perceiv’d some signs of life, and us’d what means
Her Love and Duty did instruct her in;
And I in half an hour was so reviv’d,
As I had sense of all was past and done;
And to prevent a death I yet might fear,
If mad Alcippus had return’d again,
—Alone I came to you, where I could find
Alone my Safety too.
Phi. From Gods and Men, Erminia, thou art safe, My best and blest Erminia.
Er. Sir, in my coming hither I met Aminta, Who I may fear has alarm’d all the Court; She took me for a Ghost, and ran away, E’er I cou’d undeceive her. —Falatius too, afrighted even to death—
Alcan. Faith, that was lucky, Madam. —Hark, some body knocks, you’d best retire a little. [Leads her into the door.
Enter Galatea and Aminta lighted.
Gal. Ah, Brother, there’s such news abroad—
Phi. What, dear Sister, for I am here confin’d, And cannot go to meet it?
Gal. Erminia’s Ghost is seen, and I’m so frighted—
Phi. You would not fear it though it should appear.
Gal. Oh, do not say so; For though the World had nought I held more dear, I would not see her Ghost for all the World.