Val. 'Tis poured; but falls from this ungrateful man, Like drops of water from a rising swan. Upon his breast no sign of wet remains; He bears his love more proudly than his chains.
Por. This thankless man his death will soon remove, And quickly end so undeserved a love.
Val. Unthankful as you are, I know not why, But still I love too well, to see you die. Placidius, can you love, and see my grief, And for my sake not offer some relief?
Plac. Not all the gods his ruin shall prevent; Your kindness does but urge his punishment. Besides, what can I for his safety do? He has declared himself your father's foe.
Val. Give out he has escaped, and set him free; And, if you please, lay all the fault on me.
Por. O, do not on those terms my freedom name! Freed by your danger, I should die with shame.
Plac. I must not farther by your prayers be won: All I could do, I have already done. [To her.
Val. To bring Porphyrius only to my sight, Was not to show your pity, but your spite: Would you but half oblige her you adore? You should not have done this, or should do more.
Plac. Alas! what hope can there be left for me, When I must sink into the mine I see? My heart will fall before you, if I stay; Each word you speak saps part of it away. ----Yet all my fortune on his death is set; And he may love her, though he loves not yet. He must—and yet she says he must not die.— O, if I could but wink, I could deny!
To them Albinus.