_Ant._ With perfect Joy, _Ismena_, I resign thee, [_Ant._ gives him _Ism._
_Alb._ By double Ties you now unite our Souls; Though I can hardly credit what I see, The Happiness so newly is arriv"d. [To _Ant._
Enter _Prince_, _Lorenzo_, and _Guilliam_, who comes up sc.r.a.ping to _Cloris_.
_Fred._ My Father is the kindest Man on Earth, And _Cloris_ shall be welcome to his Bosom; Who"ll make him happy in my Reformation.
--Here, _Curtius_, take _Laura_, who, I find, Had rather be my Sister than my Mistress: The Duke commands it so.
_Cur._ Till you have pardon"d me my late Offences, I must deny myself so great a Happiness. [_Cur._ kneels.
_Fred._ Rise, you have it.
Enter _Salvator_.
_Sal._ Is here not a Runegado belongs to me?
_Lau._ No, Sir, my Faith"s entire, And _Curtius_ has the keeping of it.
_Sal._ Who made him Master of it, hau?
_Lau._ Heaven, my Inclinations and the Prince.
_Sal._ Three powerful Opposers; Take her, since it must be so, And mayst thou be happy with her.
_Fred._ _Alberto_, would this Court afforded A Lady worthy thee.
_Alb._ Sir, I"m already sped, I humbly thank you.
_Lor._ Sped, quoth ye? Heaven defend Me from such Fortune.
_Fred._ _Lorenzo_, I had forgot thee; thou shalt e"en marry too.
_Lor._ You may command me any thing but marrying.
_Isab._ What think you then of a smooth-fac"d Boy?
_Lor._ A Pox on him, sure he will not tell now, will he?
_Isab._ My Lord, I beg your leave to challenge _Lorenzo_.
_Fred._ What, to a Duel, _Philibert_?
_Lor._ _Phil._ _Phil._ hold, do not ruin the Reputation Of a Man that has acquir"d Fame amongst the female s.e.x; I protest I did but jest.
_Isab._ But, Sir, I"m in earnest with you.
_Fred._ This is not _Philibert_.
_Isab._ No, Sir, but _Isabella_--that was _Philibert_.
[Pointing to _Cloris_.
_Clo._ Yes, Sir, I was the happy Boy to be belov"d, When _Cloris_ was forgotten.
_Fred._ Oh, how you raise my Love and Shame!
But why did _Isabella_ change her Habit?
_Clo._ Only to take my place, lest you should miss me, Who being with _Laura_, at the Lodgings of _Clarina_, And comparing the Words of her Letter With what the Bravoes had confess"d to _Antonio_, We found the Plot which was laid for you, And join"d all to prevent it.
_Fred._ "Twas sure the work of Heaven.
_Isab._ And now, Sir, I come to claim a Husband here.
_Fred._ Name him, and take him.
_Isab._ _Lorenzo_, Sir.
_Lor._ Of all Cheats, commend me to a Waiting-Gentlewoman; I her Husband?
_Ant._ I am a Witness to that Truth.
_Fred._ "Tis plain against you; come, you must be honest.
_Lor._ Will you compel me to"t against my will?
Oh Tyranny, consider, I am a Man of Quality and Fortune.
_Isab._ As for my Qualities, you know I have sufficient, And Fortune, thanks to your Bounty, considerable too.
_Fred._ No matter, he has enough for both.
_Lor._ Nay, Sir, an you be against me, "Tis time to reform in my own defence; But "tis a thing I never consider"d, or thought on.
_Fred._ Marry first, and consider afterwards.
_Lor._ That"s the usual way, I confess; Come, _Isabella_, since the Prince commands it, I do not love thee, but yet I"ll not forswear it; Since a greater Miracle than that is wrought, And that"s my marrying thee; Well, "tis well thou art none of the most beautiful, I should swear the Prince had some designs on thee else.
_Clo._ Yes, _Guilliam_, since thou hast been so faithful, I dare a.s.sure thee _Lucia_ shall be thine.
[_Clo._ speaks aside to _Guil._ _Guil._ bows.
_Fred._ Come, my fair _Cloris_, and invest thy self In all the Glories which I lately promis"d: --And, Ladies, you"ll attend her to the Court, And share the Welcomes which the Duke provides her; Where all the Sallies of my flattering Youth Shall be no more remember"d, but as past.
Since "tis a Race that must by Man be run, I"m happy in my Youth it was begun; It serves my future Manhood to improve, Which shall be sacrific"d to War and Love.
_Curtain Falls._
EPILOGUE,