Plac. Love and good nature, how do you betray! Misleading those who see and know their way! I, whom deep arts of state could ne'er beguile, Have sold myself to ruin for a smile. Nay, I am driven so low, that I must take That smile, as alms, given for my rival's sake.
Enter Maximin, talking with Valerius.
Max. And why was I not told of this before?
Val. Sir, she this evening landed on the shore; For with her daughter being prisoner made, She in another vessel was conveyed.
Max. Bring hither the Egyptian princess strait. [To Plac.
And you, Valerius, on her mother wait. [Exit Val.
Plac. The mother of the Egyptian princess here!
Max. Porphyrius' death I will a while defer, And this new opportunity improve, To make my last effort upon her love— [Exit Plac.
Those, who have youth, may long endure to court; But he must swiftly catch, whose race is short. I in my autumn do my siege begin; And must make haste, ere winter comes, to win. This hour—no longer shall my pains endure: Her love shall ease me, or her death shall cure.
Enter at one door Felicia and Valerius, at the other St Catharine and Placidius.