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OCTA.

Bend all thine Art to quit that late disgrace

The Christian Hermit gave thee; make thy revenge

Both sure and home.

PROXIMUS.

That thought, sir, spurs me on,

Till I have wrought their swift destruction.

(Exit.

OSTOR.

Go, then, and prosper. Octa, be vigilant:

Speak, are the Forst pssesst? the Guards made sure?

Revolve, I pray, on how large consequence

The bare event and sequel of our hopes

Joyntly consists, that have embark't our lives

Upon the hazzard of the least miscarriage.

OCTA.

All's sure: the Queen your sister hath contrived

The cunning Plot so sure, as at an instant

The Brothers shall be both surpriz'd and taken.

OSTOR.

And both shall die; yet one a while must live,

Till we by him have gather'd strength and power

To meet bold Edol, their stern General,

That now, contrary to the Kings comand,

Hath re-united all his cashier'd Troops,

And this way beats his drums to threaten us.

OCTA.

The our Plot's discover'd.

OSTOR.

Come, th'art a fool, his Army and his life

Is given unto us: where is the Queen my sister?

OCTA.

In conference with the Prince.

OSTOR.

Bring the Guards nearer, all is fair and good;

Their Conference, I hope, shall end in blood.

(Exeunt.

Scene VI.

A Room in the Palace.)

Enter PRINCE and ARTESIA.

ARTES.

Come, come, you do but flatter;

What you term Love is but a Dream of blood,

Wakes with enjoying, and with open eyes

Forgot, contemn'd and lost.

PRINCE.

I must be wary, her words are dangerous. -

True, we'l speak of Love no more, then.

ARTES.

Nay, if you will, you may;

'Tis but in jest, and yet so children play

With fiery flames, and covet what is bright,

But, feeling his effects, abhor the light.

Pleasure us like a Building, the more high,

The narrower still it grows; Cedars do dye

Soonest at top.

PRINCE.

How does your instance suit?

ARTES.

From Art and Nature to make sure the root,

And lay a fast foundation, e're I try

The incertain Changes of a wavering Skie.

Make your example thus. - You have a kiss, -

Was it not pleasing?

PRINCE.

Above all name to express it.

ARTES.

Yet now the plasure's gone,

And you have lost your joys possession.

PRINCE.

Yet when you please, this flood may ebb again.

ARTES.

But where it never ebbs, there runs the main.

PRINCE.

Who can attain such hopes?

ARTES.

Ile show the way to it, give you

A taste once more of what you may enjoy.

(Kiss.

PRINCE.

Impudent whore! -

I were more false than Atheism can be,

Should I not call this high felicity.

ARTES.

If I should trust your faith, alas, I fear,

You soon would change belief.

PRINCE.

I would covet Martyrdom to Make't confirm'd.

ARTES.

Give me your hand on that you'l keep your word?

PRINCE.

I will.

ARTES.

Enough: Help, husband, king Aurelius, help!

Rescue betraid Artesia.

PRINCE.

Nay, then 'tis I that am betraid, I see;

Yet with thy blood Ile end thy Treachery.

ARTES.

How now! what troubles you? Is this you, sir,

That but even now would suffer Martyrdom

To win your hopes, and is there now such terror

In names of men to fright you? nay, then I see

What mettle you are made on.

PRINCE.

Ha! was it but tryal? then I ask your pardon:

What a dull slave was I to be so fearful! -

Ile trust her now no more, yet try the utmost. -

I am resolved, no brother, no man breathing,

Were he my bloods begetter, should withhold

Me from your love; I'd leap into his bosom,

And from his brest pull forth that happiness

Heaven had reserved in you for my enjoying.

ARTES.

I, now you speak a Lover like a Prince! -

Treason, treason!

PRINCE.

Agen?

ARTES.

Help, Saxon Princes: Treason!

Enter OSTORIUS, OCTA, &c.

OSTOR.

Rescue the Queen: strike down the Villain.

Enter EDOLL, AURELIUS, DONOBERT, CADOR, EDWIN, TOCLIO, OSWOLD,

at the other Door.

EDOL.

Call in the Guards: the Prince in danger!

Fall back,dear Sir, my brest shall buckler you.

AUREL.

Beat down their weapons!

EDOL.

Slave, wert thou made of brass, my sword shall bite thee.

AUREL.

Withdraw,