Gov. I Have been searching over all our Sicilian Laws, and know they cannot find one Clause to save Palante.

Enter a Servant.

Serv. A Lady without, my Lord will not be denied your Presence.

Gov. Admit her.

Enter Lucasia.

Luc. Pardon me, Sir, for pressing thus rudely
On your Privacy, I know 'tis boldness.
But I hope the Hour's propitious to me,
Finding you alone, and free from Business,
I promise myself I shall be heard with Patience.

Gov. Were the Business of the World at stake, such Beauty would claim a Hearing, speak Madam.

Luc. Thus low I beg for poor Palante's Life.

Gov. Ha!

Luc. Oh, Sir.
If ever Pity touch'd your gen'rous Breast,
If ever Virgin's Tears had Power to move,
Or if you ever lov'd and felt the Pangs
That other Lovers do, pity, great Sir,
Pity and pardon two unhappy Lovers.

Gov. Your Life is not in Question, Madam.

Luc. If Palante dies, I cannot live, for we
Have but one Heart, and can have but one Fate.

Gov. What I can do, I will to save him, but Law must have its Course, rise Madam.

Luc. Never till——
The gracious Word of Pardon raises me,
There's Pity in your Eye, oh! shew it, Sir!
And say that he shall live, 'tis but a Word,
But oh, as welcome as the Breath of Life,
Why will you part two Hearts that Heav'n has join'd?
He is my Husband, Sir, and I his wedded Wife.

Gov. That can plead no Excuse, for 'tis your Crime, but if I shou'd incline to pity you, what wou'd you return? what wou'd you do to purchase the Life of him you hold so dear?

Luc. You cannot think the Thing I would not do.
Speak, Sir, and lay it but in my Power,
And even beyond my Power I will attempt.

Gov. You wou'd be thankful then shou'd I pardon him?

Luc. If I were ever thankful unto Heav'n
For all that I call mine, my Health and Being,
Cou'd I then be unthankful unto you,
For a Gift I value more than those?
Without which all other Blessings will be tasteless.

Gov. Those that are thankful study to requite, wou'd you do so?

Luc. As far as I am capable I will,
Tho' I can ne'er make ample Satisfaction,
All my Services to you are Duty,
But to those Pow'rs above that can requite
That from their Wasteless Treasure daily heap
Rewards more out of Grace than merit on
Us Mortals;
To those I'll pray that they wou'd give you, Sir,
More Blessings than I have Skill to ask.

Gov. There rises one Way and but one to save him.

Luc. Oh! name it, Sir, that——
Swift as the Arrow from the Archer's Hand
My trembling Feet may fly to save him,
Oh! you have rais'd me from the Gulph of Grief
To that blest comfortable Region, Hope,
My Senses all dance in the Cirque of Joy.
My ravish'd Heart leaps up to hear your Words,
And seems as 'twou'd come forth to thank you.
Say, how, how shall I save him?

Gov. Marry my Nephew Pirro and Palante lives.

Luc. Oh! unexpected Turn of rigid Fate,
Cruel, Sir, far more cruel than my Father.
Why did you raise me to a Height of Joy?
To sink me in a Moment down again,
In what a sad Dilemma stands my Choice,
Either to wed the Man my Soul most loaths,
Or see him die for whom alone I live.
To break my sacred Vows to Heav'n and him,
To save a Life which he would scorn to take
On Terms like those, name any Thing but that,
You are more just than to enforce my Will,
Why should I marry one I cannot love,
And sure I am I cannot love Count Pirro,
Love him! no, I shou'd detest and loath him.
The Cause that made him mine, wou'd hourly add
Fresh Matter for my Hate.

Gov. You have your Choice, I swear by Heaven never to pardon him, but upon these Conditions.

Luc. Oh! I am miserable.

Gov. 'Tis your own Fault, come consider Madam, Palante will thank you for his Life, and if you let him die, you are the Tyrant.

Luc. I shou'd be such if I shou'd save him thus.
Since you have swore not to save him upon
Other Terms, I'll shew a duteous Cruelty
And rather follow him in Death than so
To buy his Life, no, I despise the Price.
Why do I breathe my Woes, or beg for Mercy here;
Or hope to find plain Honesty in Courts?
No, their Ears are always stopp'd against Justice,
Avarice and Pride supplies the Place of Pity.

So may just Heav'n when you for Mercy sue,
As you have pitied me so pardon you.

[Exeunt severally.

SCENE Count Gravello's House.
Enter Larich, Lavinia, Sancho and Tristram.

San. Is the Priest ready Tristram?

Trist. Yes, yes, Sir, a Priest and a Lawyer are always in Readiness, their Tongues are the chief Instrument belonging to their Trade, with which they commonly do more Mischief than all the Surgeons in the Kingdom can heal, he waits in the next Room, Sir, if you can get the Lady in the Mind.

Lar. You are witty Sirrah, but no more of your Jests, do ye hear, least I make you experience, there's something else can do Mischief besides their Tongues, come Mistress what you are in the Dumps now, are you? dry up your Eyes and go about it chearfully, or I'll turn you out of Doors, I assure you.

Lav. Good, Sir, consider.

Lar. Consider! no I won't consider, nor shall you consider upon ought but what I'd have you.

Lav. Sir, do you persuade him. [To Sanch.] think how unhappy I shall make you.

San. Make me happy first, and then I'll do any Thing you'd have me.

Trist. The wisest Bargain I ever heard my Master make.

Lav. What wou'd you do, Sir, with me that cannot love you? Alas I was engaged long before I saw you, you may be happier far elsewhere, go court some Nymph whose Heart's intirely free, such only can be worthy of your Love.

San. For my Part I don't know what to say.

Lar. 'Zdeath she'll persuade him by and by to quit his Pretences to her——come, come, come Mistress no more of your Cant. [Pulls her by the Arm.] It shall avail you nothing I'll promise you.

Lav. Good, Sir, hold a little, Don Sancho seems disposed to hear Reason.

San. Why ay truly, for my Part methinks 'tis a Pity to vex the Lady so.

Lav. Besides, Sir, 'tis for his sake I do it, to make him easy, and to prevent his eternal Shame and Torture.

San. Poor Fool, how hard it is, ay, ay, I know 'tis for my Sake, pray, Sir, hear her—pray do for my Sake as she says.

Lar. Pooh Fool.

San. Shall she say more for my Sake, than you'll hear Father that is to be.

Lar. Well Huzzy, consider what you say, for if it be'nt to the Purpose, as I'm sure it won't——look to't!

Lav. Before your hasty Rashness betrays me to eternal Woe, revoke your harsh Commands.

Lar. Ay, I knew that would follow, and this is all you have to say, Mistress, ha? come, come Woe, I'll woe you.

Lav. Something I have to speak, but know not in what Words to dress my Thoughts fit for me to speak, or you to hear, oh spare the poor Remains of my already too much violated Modesty,—Heav'n can I do this, but there is no other Way. [Aside.

Lar. How? how? how's that? Modesty! why what a Duce is the Matter with your Modesty, ha?

Lav. Oh! Sir, force me not to wrong a Man whose Father I have so often heard you say, you lov'd, think what sure Disgrace will follow, how will it reflect upon your Name and Family, when I shall be found no Virgin.

Lar. Ha! no Virgin? take Heed Minion that you stain not the Honour of my House, for if you do, I swear by the best Blood in Sicily, my Sword shall do me Justice.

Lav. Now help me Courage, and forgive me Heaven my Resolutions, Death or my Francisco. [Aside.

I throw myself beneath your Feet, thus prostrate beg for Mercy, that I have deserved Death my guilty Blushes own, the mighty Secret hangs upon my Tongue, but Shame refuses Utterance to my Words.

Lar. I'm all of a cold Sweat, Heav'ns! how I dread the End of her Discourse.

San. Pray Father let her rise, or I shall weep too.

Trist. Nay, I'll say that for my Master, he's as tractable as a Monkey, and generally does what he sees other People do. [Aside.

Lav. Oh! let it still remain unknown, and rather banish me, confine me to some horrid Desart, there to live on Roots and withered Grass, and with the falling Dew, still quench my Thirst, and lastly to some savage Monster be a Prey, e'er I divulge my Shame.

San. I can hold no longer. [Cries aloud.

Lar. On, for I'll hear it all, tho' thou shalt live no longer than thou hast told thy Tale.

Lav. Sure ne'er before was Maid thus wretched, Oh Francisco! I give thee here the greatest Proof of Love that ever Woman gave——if it must out, then with it take my Life, but Oh! spare the innocent Babe.

Lar. Ha! the Babe?

Lav. Oh! I am with Child.

Lar. Then die both, and both be damn'd.

[Offers to stab her, but is prevented by Sancho and Tristram.

Sanc. Oh, Lord, Sir, for Heavens Sake, Sir, are you mad, help Tristram.

Lar. 'Zdeath a Whore! Oh thou Scandal of my Blood.

San. Egad I'm resolv'd to own the Child, and bully this old Fellow a little now——a Whore, Sir! who dares call my Wife a Whore? the Child is mine, Sir, let me see who has any Thing to say to't.

Lar. Away, don't trifle with me, I shall not give you Credit.

San. What care I whether you do or no, I say again the Child is mine, Madam, dry your Eyes, I like you ne'er the worse, and the World will like me the better for't, it will bring me into Reputation.

Lav. Oh Heavens! what will come on me now, Oh! fly me, Sir, as you wou'd shun Contagion, cou'd you receive into your Arms a Wretch polluted by another.

San. Pish, shaw, pish, shaw, 'tis the least Thing in a thousand, thou said thou didst it for my Sake just now, and sure I shou'd return the Kindness, Ingratitude is worse than the Sin of Witchcraft.

Lar. Oh! the audacious Strumpet, give me Way, that I may punish the Offence as it deserves.

[Francisco within.

Fran. Slaves give me Way, he dies that bars my Entrance.

Lav. Ha! 'tis my Francisco's Voice—Oh! blest Minute.

Lar. Ha! what Noise is that?

[Help, Murder cry'd within.

San. How Murder within and Murder without too, this is a barbarous House, I wish I was safe out on't. Tristram stand by thy Master.

Tristr. Oh, Sir, I had rather run with you, for I hate Murder in cool Blood.

Enter Francisco with his Sword drawn.

Lar. Help within there, murder, you won't murder me Sirrah, ha? [Enter three or four Servants.] run for the Corregidore, I shall be murder'd in my own House.

Fran. No, Sir, this Sword can never hurt the Father of Lavinia, nor will my Arm guide it to any Act unjust, nor is it drawn for aught but to defend my Wife.

Lar. Impudent Rascal, can'st thou look me in the Face, and know how thou hast injur'd me, thou hast dishonour'd my Daughter.

San. Sir, I say no man has dishonour'd her but myself, and I wonder you shou'd tax this honest Gentleman with it.

Fran. Ha, Villain! re-call what you have said, or by Heaven 'tis thy last, 'tis safer playing with a Lion, than with Lavinia's Fame.

[Holding his Sword at his Teeth.

San. Lavinia's Fame, what Fame, what makes you so choleric, I thought I shou'd do the Lady a Kindness in it.

Trist. Many a Man wou'd have been glad to have got rid of it so.

Lav. Humour my Father in what he says, for 'twas my last Stratagem to defer my Marriage.

[Aside to Francisco.

Lar. Lavinia's Fame! No Monster, thou hast robb'd, robb'd her of her Fame.

Fran. The Wrong my Love has done your fair Daughter, 'tis now too late to wish undone again, but if you please it may be clos'd up yet without Dishonour, I will marry her.

Lar. Marry her? she'll have a mighty Bargain of that, marry a Beggar, what Jointure canst thou make her?

Fran. I am poor, I must confess, in regard of your large Wealth, but I swear by all Things that can bind, 'twas not your Wealth was the Foundation of true-built Love, it was her single uncompounded self, her self without Addition that I lov'd, which shall ever in my Heart out-weigh all other Womens Fortunes with themselves, and were I great, great as I cou'd wish myself for her Advancement, no such Bar as Fortune's Inequality shou'd stand betwixt our Loves.

Lar. Say you so, Sir, why then take her——there hang, drown'd or starve together, I care not which, but never come within my Doors more.

[Throws her to him.
[Exit Larich.

San. Hey day, what have I lost my Mistress then, why what must I say to my Father, Tristram, who'll run stark mad without Hopes of a Grandson?

Tristr. Oh, Sir, if this Gentleman had not put in his Claim, here had been one ready to his Hands.

San. Ah Pox on't, 'tis damn'd unlucky, but come let's to the Tavern and drink away Sorrow. [Exeunt.

Fran. Come my fair Lavinia, and find a Father in thy Husband's Arms, oh thou charming Excellence, thou something better sure than ever Woman was, the matchless Proof that thou hast given of thy Love shall be recorded to Posterity——

Lav. It is a matchless one indeed, and I struggled long e'er I cou'd bring myself to own a Deed so distant from my Heart, but it has serv'd my Purpose, and I glory in it now, but my Father's last Words methinks chills my Blood, how shall you like the Yoke without lining think you ha!

Fran. Don't wrong my Love Lavinia, or think that I can want any Thing when possest of thee.

Love shall make up what Fortune does deny,
And Love alone shall all our Wants supply.

[Exeunt.

The SCENE changes to the Street, Count Pirro and Lord Gravello.

Grav. Now my Lord she's your's again, Palante dies.

Pirro. So noble were the Carriage of the Youths that I could almost pity their hard Sentence.

Grav. I admire Palante's Constancy, he seem'd regardless when the Jury pronounc'd his Sentence, as if he feared not Death, but when his Friends came on, I observed the Tears to fall.

Pirro. He begg'd very hard to save his Friend.——

Grav. And his Friend as eagerly to die with him, truly I think Clerimont's Crime did not deserve Death, but our Sicilian Laws doom all to Death that have but the least Hand in stealing of an Heiress, but see the Lord Euphenes, he sticking hard to save his Foster Son, let's avoid him, for I know he'll rail. [Exit.

Enter Lord Euphenes.

Euph. Unhappy poor Palante, the Law has cast thee in Spite of all that I could do to save thee, I'd give my whole Estate to rescue thee from Death: In thee methought my lost Lysander liv'd, and in losing thee I'm childless now indeed. I lov'd thee like my own Son, I rescu'd thee from Pyrates, by which my Child was lost.

Enter Alphonso.

Alphon. Thus once again from twenty Years Exile.
(Tost by the Storms of Fortune to and fro)
Has gracious Heav'n giv'n me Leave to tread
My native Earth of Sicily, and draw
That Air that fed me in my Infancy.

Euph. Ha! either my Eyes deceive me or 'tis my good old Friend Alphonso.

Alph. My Lord Euphenes?

Euph. Alphonso, welcome to Sicily, I thought thee dead with my unhappy Son, or what was worse, in Slavery, where no Intelligence cou'd find thee, for I have us'd my utmost Diligence.

Alph. In part you have guess'd aright, for I have been twenty tedious Years in gauling Slavery, for when the Argives surprized the Fort they hurried me on board, and because I made a brave Resistance, they ne'er wou'd give me Leave to offer at my Ransom, so violent was their Hate, but now worn out with Age, unfitting for their Labour, they turn'd me Home, an useless Drone, your Son they put on board another Ship, and by some I heard it rumoured, he being wondrous fair, that they design'd to breed him for the Sultan's Use, but some Years after I heard he was retaken on this Coast.

Euph. Ha!

Alph. I conceal'd his Name, least the many Conquests you have gain'd against them shou'd have wing'd their Revenge, and made 'em kill the lovely Child, I call'd him Palante, have you ever heard of such a one?

Euph. Oh all ye immortal Powers, the very same, I took, and is Palante then Lysander, and have I found thee once to lose thee ever?

Alph. Ha! what means all this?

Euph. 'Twas Nature then that worked my Soul, and I by Instinct lov'd him. Oh my Alphonso, this Discovery comes too late, and instead of bringing Comfort to my Age, thou hast plung'd me down in deep Despair.

Alph. Alas, my Lord, how have I err'd? pray explain yourself.

Euph. Oh Alphonso! the Youth thou speak'st of I retook from Argive Pirates, I bred him, and tho' not sensible who he was, I lov'd him tenderly: He is this very Day condemn'd for stealing of an Heiress, now judge if my Grief falls not with Weight upon me.

Alph. Unfortunate Mischance, is there no Way to save him?

Euph. None I fear, but yet I'll try all Means, if my long Service to my Country, my Winter Camps, and Summer Heats, and all my stormy Fate at Sea can plead, I will expand my Deeds as Rome's Consuls did of old, make bare my Breast, and shew my scar'd Bosom to move and raise their Pity.

So may just Heav'n when you for Mercy sue,
As you have pitied me so pardon you.
Love shall make up what Fortune does deny,
And Love alone shall all our Wants supply.
I that ne'er mention'd aught my Arm has done,
Will now urge all to save my darling Son.

[Exeunt.

ACT V. SCENE a Prison.
Palante and Clerimont come forward.

Pal. Oh! Clerimont, I swear by my malignant Stars,
Death brings no Terrors with it but for thee;
The Thoughts of thine, and that I have involv'd
In my sad Fate, my best and only Friend,
Sits heavy on my Soul, and gives me double Death:
My Father's Tears, whom now too late I know,
Pierce not my Breast with half this killing Grief,
This gnaws me worse than my Lucasia's Loss;
And, like a Vulture, preys upon my Heart.
I was rewarded, call'd Lucasia mine:
For such a Treasure who wou'd refuse to die?
But thou'rt condemn'd for only aiding me,
I am the Cause of thy sad Fate, my Friend;
Hurry'd by me to an untimely Grave:
Thou fall'st for him thou ever hast oblig'd.

Cler. No more Palante——
Why dost thou call me by the Name of Friend?
Yet think I cou'd descend from Friendship's Rules:
For so I must shou'd I repine at Death,
Or fear to suffer with so brave a Man.
To die is nothing to a Man resolv'd:
Why shou'd we wish to hold this mortal Frame,
By Nature subject to such various Ills,
Which first or last brings certain Death to all?
Were there no Hand, indeed, but human Laws
To cut the Thread of our Mortality,
Then we had Cause for Grief; but when we reflect
We only leap the Abyss a little sooner,
Where all Mankind must follow by degrees,
The Apprehension moves not me.

Pal. Oh! Noble Constancy——
After Ages shall record the Story,
And rank thee with the bravest Roman Youths;
And melancholy Virgins when they read,
In moving Accents celebrate thy Name.

Cler. What baleful Planet rul'd when thou wert born,
That mark'd for thee this Path of Sorrow out?
Oh! ye malicious Stars, when ye had stood
So long the rude Buffets of blind Fortune,
And now just as the pleasing Scene appear'd,
I' th' Moment when th' art found of noble Birth,
And wed to thy long wish'd for Bride Lucasia,
Then to snatch thee hence, is twice to kill thee.
Oh! it is the Mock'ry of spiteful Fates,
When we with Labour reach the aim'd at Wish,
Straight this unstable Fairy World removes.
We die, or are dash'd back again to what we were.

Enter Eugenio and Lucasia.

Luc. Faithful Irus how shall I reward thee?
Ha! see where stands Palante and his Friend!
Oh! lead me Irus, quickly, lead me back,
Else I shall grow a Statue at this Sight:
Not all the frightful Noise of Chains we've past,
And meagre Looks of Wretches in Despair,
Are half so terrible as this.

Pal. My Lucasia!
Art thou come to take thy last Adieu, and
Bless my Eyes before they close for ever?

Luc. Oh! Palante!

Pal. What! no more? Give thy labouring Sorrows vent,
That like Convulsions heaves thy snowy Breasts,
And struggles for a Passage to thy Tongue.

Luc. O! I had dy'd e'er seen this fatal Hour;
But this good Man pursu'd with Care my Steps,
And stop'd my Hand, which else had giv'n the Blow,
When first I heard the sad and dreadful News,
That thou, Palante, wer't condemn'd to die.

Eug. Still all I ask is, that you wou'd have Patience;
I'll to Court where Lord Euphenes is,
Now begging for his Son, in Hope to bring you Happiness. [Exit Eug.

Luc. Fly Irus, fly, and bring us instant Word.
Oh! my aking Brain is near Distraction;
For much I fear there is no Help for me.

Pal. Yet I rejoice in this, I'm found of Noble Birth—
That in succeeding Ages, when this Act,
With all its Circumstances shall be told,
No Blot may rest upon thy Virgin Fame;
No censuring Tongue reflect upon thy Choice;
And say thy Husband was a Wretch unknown,
And quite unworthy of Lucasia's Arms.

Luc. What Comfort's in this late Discovery found?
Will the Greatness of thy Race protect thee?
Virtue and ev'ry Good was thine before;
Yet the cruel Pow'rs are deaf to all my Prayers:
Nor will thy Merit plead with angry Heav'n,
To ward the Stroke, and save thy precious Life.
Oh Greatness! thou vain and vap'rish Shew,
That, like a Mist, dazzles the Eyes of Men,
And as the Fogs destroy the Body's Health,
That poisons deep, and gangrenes in the Soul;
But seldom's found t' assist the virtuous Man.
Thou wert——
As dear to these desiring Eyes before,
And honour'd full as much in this poor Heart.
Oh! I cou'd curse the Separating Cause,
And wish Lucasia never had been born.

Pal. Be calm, my Love, my everlasting Dear,
Cease to lament, and give thy Spirits ease.
Oh! hear me Heav'n, and grant my last Request;
May Health, long Life, and ev'ry Bliss beside,
Conduce to make Lucasia happy still.
Let nothing fall to interrupt her Joy,
But make it lasting as you make it great.
Grant this, and I to rigorous Destiny
Submit with Pleasure.

Luc. Long Life; no, rather wish me sudden Death,
To rid me of my Cares, and that Way give me Ease.
Ha! I'm seiz'd with an unusual Terror, Fear
And Horror swim in Shades of Night around,
How sad and dreadful are these Prison Walls!
Thy Voice seems hollow too, and Face looks pale.
Oh! my Palante, my Heart——
Throbs, as if the Strings of Life were breaking.

[A Bell tolls within.

Hark! hark! Oh! 'twas this that it foretold.
Ope' Earth, hide me in thy unfathom'd Womb,
To drown the Call of Fate——this dismal Bell.

Cler. Madam——
Be patient, add not to his Misery;
For whilst he sees you thus, his Soul's unfit
For aught but Earth; th' Approach of Death is near,
A little Time is necessary now,
To calm his Mind to suffer like a Man.

Luc. Oh! Heav'n help me. [Faints.

Pal. Oh! She's dying; do not thus rend my Soul with Grief.

Enter an Officer.

Officer. Gentlemen, this Bell gives warning, that within Half an Hour you must prepare to die.

Pal. 'Tis very well, we shall be ready. Canst thou conduct this Lady to her Father's House?

Luc. Stand off, and touch me not: No, I will stay with thee.
Do not push me from thee, my dear Palante;
For I shall die apace, and go before.

Officers. The Officers all wait to conduct ye to the Place of Execution.

Cler. We come now, Friend, when shall we meet again.

Pal. The bless'd Pow'rs can tell, in Heav'n sure.

Luc. Oh! all ye Maids that now are crown'd above;
Did any feel, like me, the Wrecks of Love?
By Tempests torn from my dear Husband's Side,
And made a Widow, when I'm scarce a Bride.

SCENE the Governor's House.
Enter Governor and Count Pirro, and Lord Gravello.

Govern. This is strange Palante should be found The Lord Euphene's Son; but fear not Nephew, the Law has pass'd, and he shall suffer.

Pirro. I urge still, my Lord, she was my promised Wife; Her Father so design'd her, had he then been known Euphene's Son. I urge that, speak my good Father.

Grav. My Lord, I had; yet let me own, I rather wish the unknown Palante had suffer'd for my Daughter, than the Son of one, who tho' my Foe, I must acknowledge great and brave.

Govern. So wou'd I my Lord, but there's no Fence for Accidents; I do expect to be beset with Prayers and Tears, but all in vain; see where he comes.

Enter Euphenes and Alphonso.

Euph. Behold! Lord Governor, my aged Knees, are bent to thee,
'Tis in thy Power to wrest this heavy Judgment of the Law;
Suspend it at least, till the King shall hear the Cause,
And save my Son.

Gover. Rise Euphenes, your Speech carries a double Meaning, you pray and threaten with the same Breath, we are not to be frighted Lord; the Laws of Sicily have had their Course, your Son falls by them.

Euph. Oh! mistake me not, I am as humble as your Pride can wish me; but give me Leave to speak, tho' 'tis my hard Fortune to offend; let me the Anguish of my Soul deliver to that injurious Lord, the Father of Lysander's, or by the more known Name, Palante's Wife; hard-hearted Man! had'st thou no other Way to wreck thy canker'd and long foster'd Hate upon my Head, but this? Thus cruelly, by my Son's Suffering, and for such a Fault as thou shou'dst Love him, rather? Is thy Daughter injur'd by this Marriage? Is his Blood base? Or can his now rising Fortunes know an Ebb? This Law was made to restrain the Vile from wronging noble Persons, by Attempts of such a kind; but where Equality meets in the Match, there is no Crime! or if there is, forgive his Youth, and have Pity on him.

Gover. Euphenes, you wrong your Virtue when you'd save a Criminal, the Law condemns; tho' the righteous Judgment falls upon your Son, and your Appeal shall come too late.

Euph. Then you have set a Period to a loyal House and Family that have been Props of the Sicilian Crown and with their Blood in Wars, won many an honour'd Field. I can spend no more in Tears, I'll spend the sad Remnant of my childless Age, and only wish to rest i'th' Grave together.

Alph. Hear me thou Governor, not kneeling, but erect as old Age and Slavery has left me: This noble Sicilian Youth was lost in defending Sicily from the fam'd Fortress, which beat back a thousand Times, invading Foes, and sunk 'em in the working Seas, from thence the Child was ta'en, and must he 'scape the Hazards of the rowling Waves, Rocks, Tempests, Pirates, and ignominious Fate, to perish in his native Isle: Oh, barbarous Usage, stop yet at least his Judgment, and let this poor old Man see once again, his dear Palante; for that I'll bow my stubborn Knees, and ask the Blessings as I importune Heaven.

Euph. Oh! my Lord, let my unhappy Son appear before ye, e'er the cruel Sentence comes to Execution.

Grav. If you deny them this, it may be ill represented to the King.

Pirro. I fear, my Lord, you are staggering.

Gover. Nephew, be silent, and be safe; they shall have their Will, but to no Purpose, only a Moment's short Delay; for I have sworn, and he shall die——Guard bring here the Prisoner.

Euph. I thank the Governor.

Gov. Oh spare thy Thanks, till thou hast real Cause: the Law, the Statute's plain, and he must die for't, there is no Remedy.

Enter, brought in by the Guards,
Palante, Clerimont, Lucasia and Eugenio.

Euph. Oh! Son!

Alph. Palante!

Pal. Pardon me, Sirs, I have too much Tenderness upon my Soul already, too many Clogs that drag it downwards; oh! forgive me, if I beg ye wou'd not add more Weight to Death.

Gra. Madam, 'twere more becoming your Quality and Modesty, to be at Home; thou dost but ill return thy Father's Care.

Luc. I have no Father, nor ever had that I remember, but born and destin'd for an out-cast Wretch, and curst to ruin a most noble Husband: Oh he was the Pride of the Sicilian Youths, and Glory of the World; but he is dead, or doom'd to die, and that's alike distracting.

Euph. Heav'n bless thee, thou Mirrour of thy Sex, that in the Sea of thy transcendant Virtues, drown'st all thy Father's Malice, and in my Thought, redeem'st more than thy Race can lose.

Gov. Lord Euphenes, what End had you in this, in bringing here the Criminals?

Euph. To move your Mercy was my End; but Wolves and Tygers know not what Pity means.

Gov. Forbear Reproach, and hear me; I'll stand it to the King, and all the World; here is an Heiress stole, the worst of Robberies; he is condemn'd by the Law, he fell to the Judgment of the Law; I surrender him. Guards, carry on the Pris'ners.

Luca. Oh! cruel Sentence! hear me, Sir.

Gov. Away with 'em.

Eug. Stay yet a little, thou most imperious Governor; for I will be heard.

Gov. Thou! What art thou?

Eug. My Name is Irus; Lord Pirro knows me.

Pirro. Ha!

Eug. Thou tremblest, Lord, hear; you that have condemn'd these noble Friends, and hunt their Lives for a mere Trifle; sentence to Death a Man for loving and being belov'd; hear, a black Deed will start your Soul with Horror, and make you own the Crime before ye nothing.

Gov. What means the Fellow!

Eug. Nay, 'tis not a Frown can stop me, nor will my Fate be long; know then, this Lord gave out his Son Eugenio dy'd at Rome, but he was well, and in this City.

Palan. How say'st thou?

Luc. Proceed, dear Irus.

Eug. First stop Lord Pirro; for my Story will not please him: I say Eugenio lived; which when I discover'd to that trembling Lord, he brib'd me with a thousand Crowns to poison him: Here's the Agreement under his own Hand; and here's a Letter from Eugenio to his Father, which denotes that he was poison'd, and dying.

Gra. Let me see it: Oh! 'tis his Hand. Wretch that I am, is my dissembled Grief turn'd to true Sorrow? Were my acted Tears but Prophecies of my ensuing Woe? And is he dead? Oh! pardon me, dear Ghost of my Eugenio! 'twas my Crimes that call'd this hasty Vengeance from above, and shorten'd thus thy Life; for whilst with Fallacies I sought to fasten Wealth upon our House, I brought a Cannibal to be the Grave of me and mine; base, bloody, murdering Lord.

Pirro. Vile Cozener, Cheater and Dissembler, now indeed we both are caught.

Euph. Oh! cruel Man! now see the Justice of offended Heav'n; thou who pursu'st the poor Palante's Life with so much Violence, thou now must feel the Weight of a Son's Loss.

Gov. This will prove a Tragedy indeed; away with the Prisoners. Your Trial's next, Lord Pirro.

Pirro. I do confess——

Eug. Hold, is there no means left to save them? Wou'd not you now, Lord Gravello, give your Daughter freely to Palante?

Gra. More willingly than I wou'd live another Hour.

Euph. Oh! You are kind too late; had you been thus when Need required, you had sav'd yourself and me, and both our hapless Sons.

Gov. Oh Nephew, my Prompter still in Cruelty,
Now thou thyself must feel the Rigour of the Law.

Eug. Now ye behold the Good from Bad, which nought but this Extremity had shewn; yet all be safe, Eugenio lives, and fair Lucasia is no Heiress now.

Omnes. How! lives!

Eug. Yes, lives to call thee Brother, worthy Palante, and thou, my dear Lucasia, Sister.

[Throws off his Disguise.

Luc. Oh, Irus, Eugenio, Palante, where am I?

Palan. Oh! Lucasia, Clerimont; my Friend, my Love, my Wife.

Eug. Pardon me ye most afflicted Sufferers,
That I thus long have kept myself conceal'd;
My End was honest, to let my Father see
The Frailty, I will not call it by a harder Name,
Of Count Pirro; the Son he coveted so eagerly,
To raise the Storms to their most dreadful Height,
That Calms, and Peace might be more pleasing.

Gra. I see it was Eugenio, and thou Palante.
Now, my Son, give me thy Hand, here take thy Wife,
And for the Wrong that I intended thee, thy Portion
shall be double.

Pal. Oh! I am over-paid, Lucasia and my Friend secure. This is the Work of Heav'n, and oh ye gracious Powers I thank ye for it.

Cler. Joy rises from my Heart, and with unutterable Transports stops my Speech; thus once again let me embrace thee.

Euph. And has a Father nothing from a Son?

Alph. And old Alphonso too expects a Welcome.

Pal. Oh! take me, Father, Brother, Friend, Lucasia! There's the Sum of all.

Luc. Sure such Hours as these give us a Taste of Immortality.

Gra. My Lord Euphenes, I hope all Enmity is now forgot betwixt our Houses.

Euph. Let it be ever so; I do embrace your Love.
But speak Eugenio, what hast thou to ask?
Whose timely Care prevented our undoing.

Eug. My Lord, you have a virtuous Niece, for whom I long have sigh'd, I beg your leave to own my Flame.

Euph. She's yours; I've often heard her praise Eugenio. And all Things else within my Power command.
My Lord the Governor, you alone seem sad.

Gov. I am not so at your good Fortune, but that my Nephew whom I have found so base, urg'd me to such Cruelty: Be gone, and hide thy ignominious Head, for I will never see thee more.

Pirro. No matter, I am free, and will enjoy myself in spight of all Mankind. [Exit.

Gov. However this my Care shall do, I will solicit earnestly the King to mitigate this cruel Law, and make the Thefts of Love admit of Pardon.
Who have we here? they seem to rejoice too.

Enter Larich singing, Francisco, Lavinia, Sancho and Trist.

Larich. Ha, hey, what, every body in Joy! Good News, Coz, Palante come off safe; my pretty Niece pleas'd here, and Son-in-law, Francisco, just receiv'd a certain Information of an Uncle's Death, that has left him, let me see, let me see; ay, ay, enough to please me.

Sancho. Nay, nay, hold, every body is not so well pleas'd neither; I am melancholy, I came hither to see the Execution; but I see no body has occasion to be hanged but myself, for I have lost my Mistress; faith I have, Tristram. What Account shall I give my Father of this Match?

Tris. Fackins, Master, I cannot tell.

Larich. Then Lavinia is a pure Virgin still, for all the Tricks she play'd; faith she is: Was it not a sly one, ha, Brother?

Gra. I know nothing of the Matter.

Luc. Cousin, I wish you Joy, as large a Share as I possess, and Fate itself can give no more.

Lav. I am doubly bless'd to see you happy.

Fran. And I have nothing left to wish.

Pal. Come, my Lucasia, now we are bless'd, let us retire, and give a loose to Raptures yet unknown.

Luc. Oh! all ye Maids that now are crown'd above;
Did any feel, like me, the Wrecks of Love?
By Tempests torn from my dear Husband's Side,
And made a Widow, when I'm scarce a Bride.
Virtue survives thro' all the Turns of Fate,
Let not impatient Man think Mercy late;
For Heaven does still the justest Side regard,
And virtuous Lovers always meet Reward.