'Tis in a dangerous way; I will forget thy error,
And spend this night in prayers that Heaven may do so.
Exit Aur.
Would she have had me been mine own Adulterer?
Before my Marriage?——— Oh lust——— Oh frailty———
Where in all human nature shall we miss
The ulcerous fermentations of thy heat,
When thus (alas) we find thee breaking out
[Exit.Upon the comli'st Visage of perfection?
Scene 3.
Enter Aurelia, (veil'd.)
Ha! I did but speak just now of Heavenly powers,
And my blest Angel enters, sure they have
Heard me, and promise what I prayed for.
My dear Lucia, I thought you'd been a kind of prisoner too.
She gives him a Paper and embraces him.
She's kinder too than she was wont to be;
My prayers are heard and granted, I'm confirm'd in't.
[Reads.
By my Maid's means I have gotten Keys both of my own Chamber and yours; we may escape if you please; but that I fear would ruine you; We lie both now in the same house, a good fortune that is not like to continue; since I have the engagement of your faith, I account my self your Wife already, and shall put my honor into your hands; about Midnight I shall steal to you; If I were to speak this I should blush, but I know whom I trust.
Yours, Lucia.
And my blest Angel enters, sure they have
Heard me, and promise what I prayed for.
My dear Lucia, I thought you'd been a kind of prisoner too.
She gives him a Paper and embraces him.
She's kinder too than she was wont to be;
My prayers are heard and granted, I'm confirm'd in't.
[Reads.
By my Maid's means I have gotten Keys both of my own Chamber and yours; we may escape if you please; but that I fear would ruine you; We lie both now in the same house, a good fortune that is not like to continue; since I have the engagement of your faith, I account my self your Wife already, and shall put my honor into your hands; about Midnight I shall steal to you; If I were to speak this I should blush, but I know whom I trust.
Yours, Lucia.
Trum.
[aside.Thou dost not know me, Lucia,
And hast forgot thy self: I am amaz'd.
Stay, here's a Postscript.
(Burn this Paper as soon as you have read it.)
Burn it? yes, would I had don't before,
[Burns it at the Candle.
May all remembrance of thee perish with thee,
Unhappy paper!
Thy very ashes sure will not be innocent,
But flie about and hurt some chast man's eyes,
[weeps.As they do mine.
Oh, Lucia, this I thought of all misfortunes
Would never have befaln me, to see thee
Forget the ways of Virtue and of Honor.
I little thought to see upon our love,
That flourish'd with so sweet and fresh a Beauty,
The slimy traces of that Serpent, Lust.
What Devil has poison'd her? I know not what to say to her.
Go, Lucia, retire, prethee, to thy Chamber,
And call thy wandring Virtue home again,
It is not yet far gone, but call it quickly,[aside.Thou dost not know me, Lucia,
And hast forgot thy self: I am amaz'd.
Stay, here's a Postscript.
(Burn this Paper as soon as you have read it.)
Burn it? yes, would I had don't before,
[Burns it at the Candle.
May all remembrance of thee perish with thee,
Unhappy paper!
Thy very ashes sure will not be innocent,
But flie about and hurt some chast man's eyes,
[weeps.As they do mine.
Oh, Lucia, this I thought of all misfortunes
Would never have befaln me, to see thee
Forget the ways of Virtue and of Honor.
I little thought to see upon our love,
That flourish'd with so sweet and fresh a Beauty,
The slimy traces of that Serpent, Lust.
What Devil has poison'd her? I know not what to say to her.
Go, Lucia, retire, prethee, to thy Chamber,
And call thy wandring Virtue home again,
'Tis in a dangerous way; I will forget thy error,
And spend this night in prayers that Heaven may do so.
Exit Aur.
Would she have had me been mine own Adulterer?
Before my Marriage?——— Oh lust——— Oh frailty———
Where in all human nature shall we miss
The ulcerous fermentations of thy heat,
When thus (alas) we find thee breaking out
[Exit.Upon the comli'st Visage of perfection?