Scene II
A Taper. Table out
Enter Aglaura with a torch in one hand, and a dagger in the other
Agl. How ill this does become this hand! much worse
This suits with this! one of the two should go.
The she within me says, it must be this:
Honour says, this; and honour is Thersames' friend.
What is that she then? is it not a thing5
That sets a price, not upon me, but on
Life in my name, leading me into doubt,
Which, when't has done, it cannot light me out?
For fear does drive to fate; or fate, if we
Do fly, o'ertakes and holds us, till or death10
Or infamy, or both, do seize us.[Puts out the light
Ha! would 'twere in again!
Antics and strange misshapes,
Such as the porter to my soul, mine eye,
Was ne'er acquainted with, fancy lets in,15
Like a disrouted multitude, by some
Strange accident piec'd together.
Fear now afresh comes on, and charges love
Too home. He comes, he comes!
Woman,20
If thou wouldst be the subject of man's wonder,
Not his scorn hereafter, now show thyself!
Enter Thersames from the vaults; she stabs him, as he riseth
Ther. Unkindly done!
Agl. The prince's voice! defend it, goodness!
Ther. What art
Thou that thus poorly hast destroy'd a life?25
Agl. O sad mistake! 'tis he.
Ther. Hast thou no voice?
Agl. I would I had not, nor a being neither.
Ther. Aglaura? it cannot be.
Agl. O still believe so, sir!
For 'twas not I indeed, but fatal love.30
Ther. Love's wounds us'd to be gentler than these were;
