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There you may mark the Passages of the Night.

Yet, more: — I charge you by the dearest Tyes,

What-e’er you see, or hear, what-e’er shall hap,

In your Concealment rest a silent Statue.

Nay, hide thee strait, — or, — see, I’m arm’d and vow[Shews a Dagger.

To fall a bleeding Sacrifice before Thee.

[Thrusts him out, to the Arras.

I dare not tell thee of my Purpose, Julio,

Lest it should wrap thee in such Agonies,

Which my Love could not look on. —

Scene opens to a large Hall: An Altar prepared with Tapers. Enter at one Door Servants with Lights, Henriquez, Don Bernard, and Churchman. At another, Attendants to Leonora. Henriquez runs to her.

Henr. Why, Leonora, wilt Thou with this Gloom

Darken my Triumph; suff’ring Discontent,

And wan Displeasure, to subdue that Cheek

Where Love should sit inthron’d? Behold your Slave;

Nay, frown not; for each Hour of growing Time

Shall task me to thy Service, ’till by Merit

Of dearest Love I blot the low-born Julio

From thy fair Mind.

Leon. So I shall make it foul;

This Counsel is corrupt.

Henr. Come, you will change.—

Leon. Why would you make a Wife of such a One,

That is so apt to change? This foul Proceeding

Still speaks against itself, and vilifies

The purest of your Judgment. — For your Birth’s Sake

I will not dart my hoarded Curses at you,

Nor give my Meanings Language: For the Love

Of all good Things together, yet take heed,

And spurn the Tempter back.

D. Bern. I think, you’re mad. — Perverse, and foolish, Wretch!

Leon. How may I be obedient, and wise too?

Of my Obedience, Sir, I cannot strip me;

Nor can I then be wise: Grace against Grace!

Ungracious, if I not obey a Father;

Most perjur’d, if I do. — Yet, Lord, consider,

Or e’er too late, or e’er that Knot be ty’d,

Which may with Violence damnable be broken,

No other way dissever’d: Yet consider,

You wed my Body, not my Heart, my Lord;

No Part of my Affection. Sounds it well,

That Julio’s Love is Lord Henriquez’ Wife;

Have you an Ear for this harsh Sound?

Henr. No Shot of Reason can come near the Place,

Where my Love’s fortified. The Day shall come,

Wherein you’ll chide this Backwardness, and bless

Our Fervour in this Course.

Leon. No, no, Henriquez,

When you shall find what Prophet you are prov’d,

You’ll prophesie no more.

D. Bern. Have done this Talking,

If you will cleave to your Obedience, do’t;

If not, unbolt the Portal, and be gone;

My Blessing stay behind you.

Leon. Sir, your Pardon:

I will not swerve a Hair’s Breadth from my Duty;

It shall first cost me dear.

D. Bern. Well then, to th’ Point:

Give me your Hand. — My honour’d Lord, receive

My Daughter of Me, — (nay, no dragging back,

But with my Curses;) — whom I frankly give you,

And wish you Joy and Honour.

[As Don Bernard goes to give Leonora to Henriquez, Julio advances from the Arras, and steps between.

Jul. Hold, Don Bernard,

Mine is the elder Claim.

D. Bern. What are you, Sir?

Jul. A Wretch, that’s almost lost to his own Knowledge,

Struck thro’ with Injuries. —

Henr. Ha! Julio? — Hear you,

Were you not sent on our Commands to Court?

Order’d to wait your fair Dismission thence?

And have you dared, knowing you are our Vassal,

To steal away unpriviledg’d, and leave

My Business and your Duty unaccomplish’d?

Jul. Ungen’rous Lord! The Circumstance of Things

Should stop the Tongue of Question. — You have wrong’d me;

Wrong’d me so basely, in so dear a Point,

As stains the Cheek of Honour with a Blush;

Cancells the Bonds of Service; bids Allegiance

Throw to the Wind all high Respects of Birth,

Title, and Eminence; and, in their Stead,

Fills up the panting Heart with just Defiance.

If you have Sense of Shame, or Justice, Lord,

Forego this bad Intent; or with your Sword

Answer me like a Man, and I shall thank you.

Julio once dead, Leonora may be thine;

But, living, She’s a Prize too rich to part with.

Henr. Vain Man! the present Hour is fraught with Business

Of richer Moment. Love shall first be serv’d:

Then, if your Courage hold to claim it of me,

I may have Leisure