And pardon me, my lord; for this is he
For whom I thwarted Soliman's entreats,
And for whose exile I lamented thus.
Erastus.
Ev'n from my childhood have I tender'd thee;
Witness the heavens of my unfeigned love.
Soliman.
By this one accident I well perceive,
That heav'ns and heav'nly powers do manage love.
I love them both, I know not which the better:
They love each other best. What then should follow,
But that I conquer both by my deserts,
And join their hands, whose hearts are knit already?—
Erastus and Perseda, come you hither,
And both give me your hands.—
Erastus, none but thou couldst win Perseda:
Perseda, none but thou couldst win Erastus—
From great Soliman; so well I love you both.
And now, to turn late promises to good effect,
Be thou, Erastus, governor of Rhodes:
By this thou shalt dismiss my garrison.
Brusor.
Must he reap that, for which I took the toil?
Come envy, then, and sit in friendship's seat;
How can I love him that enjoys my right? [Aside.
Soliman.
Give me a crown to crown the bride withal.—