Fri. Too well you may, for by yon’ setting Sun, that Globe of heavenly Light I swear, I come to kill the only Man that strives to save my Life—Man did I say? Nay more than common Man, for those the World abound with; but such a Man besides, all this vast Land affords not.
Bon. By this your large Encomium of your Friend, I’m afraid ’twas Wine first made your Quarrel, and thereupon this Challenge did ensue.
Fri. O no! I call the Powers above to witness, that in all the Course of our unhappy Friendship, I to my knowledg never did receive the least Affront or Injury from him.
Bon. How came this Challenge then?
Fri. O dear Friend, the noblest that Man cou’d ever boast of: [embraces him] When first my rigid Fate threw on me this Command to fight, I had recourse to many whom I always thought my Friends; but when the Touchstone of my Danger try’d ’em, I found ’em like the cursed Fruit of Sodom, fair without, but rotten at the Heart: But then I found out Bonvile, my only dearest Friend. Bonvile no sooner heard of my Engagement, but flew unto my Succour with as much Bravery, as a great General hastned by Alarms, marches to meet the Foe: You left your Nuptial Bed perhaps to meet your Death. O unheard-of Friendship! My Father gave me Life, ’tis true; but you, my Friend, support my Honour. All this for me, while I, ungrateful Man, thus seek your Life: For to my eternal Horror be it spoke, you are the Man whom I come here to kill.
Bon. Ha!
Fri. Too true alas! there read the Warrant for your Death.
[Gives him the Letter.]
Bon. ’Tis a Woman’s Hand.
Fri. Yes, and a bad One too, they all speak fair, write foul, but mean worse.
Bon. How! kill me? Sure, I dream, and this is all Delusion, or else thou dost it only to try thy Friend.