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Act V., Sc. 1]
AGLAURA
145

Ari. Extremely good! Nature took pains, I swear:55
The villain and the brave are mingled handsomely.

Zir. 'Twas fate that took it, when that it decreed
We two should meet; nor shall they mingle now:
We are but brought together straight to part.

[They fight

Ari. Some devil sure has borrowed this shape:60
My sword ne'er stay'd thus long to find an entrance.

Zir. To guilty men all that appears is devil;
Come, trifler, come.[They fight

Ari. Dog, thou hast it.

Zir. Why, then, it seems my star's as great as his:65
I smile at thee.

[Ariaspes pants, and runs at him to catch his sword

Thou now wouldst have me kill thee,
And 'tis a courtesy I cannot afford thee.
I have bethought myself, there will be use
Of thee. Pasithas, to the rest with him![Exit

[Enter Pasithas and two of the Guard. They seize Ariaspes and go out again

Enter Thersames

Ther. The dog-star's got up high: it should be late;70
And sure by this time every waking ear
And watchful eye is charm'd: and yet methought
A noise of weapons struck my ear just now.
'Twas but my fancy, sure; and, were it more,
I would not tread one step that did not lead75
To my Aglaura, stood all his guard betwixt,
With lightning in their hands.
Danger, thou dwarf dress'd up in giant's clothes,
That show'st far off still greater than thou art,
Go, terrify the simple and the guilty, such80
As with false optics still do look upon thee!
But fright not lovers: we dare look on thee
In thy worst shapes, and meet thee in them too.
Stay.
These trees I made my mark; 'tis hereabouts.85
Love, guide me but right this night,
And lovers shall restore thee back again
Those eyes the poets took so boldly from thee.[Exit