2d Sen. You must produce apparent proof, my lord.
Pier. Why, where is Strotzo?—he that swore he saw
The very act, and vow’d that Feliche fled
Upon his sight: on which I brake the breast
Of the adulterous lecher with five stabs.
Go, fetch in Strotzo. Now, thou impudent,
If thou hast any drop of modest blood 140
Shrouded within thy cheeks, blush, blush for shame,
That rumour yet may say thou felt’st defame.
Mel. Produce the devil; let your Strotzo come:
I can defeat his strongest argument,
With——
Pier. With what?
Mel. With tears, with blushes, sighs, and claspèd hands;
With innocent uprearèd arms to Heaven;
With my unnookt[296] simplicity. These, these
Must, will, can only quit my heart of guilt: 150
Heaven permits not taintless blood be spilt.
If no remorse live in your savage breast——
Pier. Then thou must die.
Mel. Yet dying, I’ll be blest.
Pier. Accurst by me.
Mel. Yet blest, in that I strove
To live, and die——
Pier. My hate.