Prince. Ah! wouldst thou see me on a Precipice, and not prevent my Danger?
Geo. To mightier Friendship I cou’d all surrender, and silently have born her Perjuries; but those to you, awaken’d all my Rage: but she has out-trick’d me, and I beg her Pardon—And to secure her yours, have lov’d anew, and beg Protection in your Lodgings, Sir, for a young Maid whom I design to marry.
Prince. Command my Life, my Fortune, and my Sword, for the unwilling Injury I have done thee—And is this the charming, perjur’d Fair, Mirtilla?
Geo. It is, Sir.
Prince. Since it is possible that you cou’d cease to love this Gallant Man, whom I have heard with so much tender Passion tell your Loves, what sacred Vows had past, and what Endearments, how can I hope from thee a lasting Faith?—Yet on the Oaths that thou hast sworn to me—by all thy Hopes of Pardon for thy Perjuries, to ease my panting Heart—once speak the Truth—Didst thou not take this Woman for a Man?
Mir. I did—and were she so, I wou’d with Pride own all the Vows I’ve broke.
Prince. Why, this is fair—and though I buy this Knowledge at the vast Price of all my Repose; yet I must own, ’tis a better Bargain than chaff’ring of a Heart for feign’d Embraces—Thou hast undone me—yet must have my Friendship; and ’twill be still some Ease in this Extreme, to see thee yet repent, and love Lejere.
Mir. No, Sir, this Beauty must be first declining, to make me take up with a former Lover.
Geo. No, Sir, I have dispos’d my Heart another way; and the first knowledge of her Falshood cur’d me: Her Marriage I forgave—that thing of Form—but never could her Fondness to this Youth.
Prince. Who’s this Lady, Sir, whose Pardon I must beg?