Page:A Series of Plays on the Passions Volume 3.pdf/307

For so she promis'd, when he parted from her,
To watch for his return.

Bast. Ulrick in wisdom should have married them
Before he went, for then the chance had been
She had not watch'd so long.
Your widow is a thing of more docility
Than your lorn maiden.—Pardon, fair Terentia.

Ter. Thy tongue wags freely. Yet, I must confess,
Had Ulrick done what thou call'st wisely, he
The very thing had done which as her kinsman
He was in duty bound to. But, alas!
A wayward passion warp'd him from the right,
And made him use his power ungen'rously
Their union to prevent.

Bast. But tho' the death of Ermingard were prov'd,
Think'st thou Aurora would bestow her hand
On one who has so long her wishes cross'd,
A lover cloth'd in stern authority?

Ter. I know not; Ulrick fondly so believes;
And I, altho' allied to him by blood,
The playmate also of his early days,
Dare not an opposite opinion utter.

Bast. Hark there! I hear without th' approaching crowd.
My duty on this public ceremony
I must attend for honour of the state.
In petty courts like this, on such occasions,
One spangled doublet more or less bears count.
[Exeunt severally.