Marcelia, or, The treacherous friend a tragicomedy : as it is acted at the Theatre-Royal by His Majesties servants / written by Mrs. F. Boothby.

Scene 5. Enter Calinda and Ericina.

Eric.

Are you resolv'd still to give up your self to so much sadness? Is it so great a wonder to find men false, that you no better are prepar'd, from reasonable expe∣ctation, to meet this change and common trouble?

Cal.

It is true, Ericina, our afflictions do usually re∣ceive abatement from not being single Sufferers; but love admits not of allays, like other ills; nor is that humor (in my mind) so generally to be boasted of: Besides, Love, when it first takes Possession of our hearts, de∣prives us of our Reason; and that's the chief resisting strength, by which we opposition make against all o∣ther accidents of Fortunes malice.

Eric.

I cannot think a Passion by Gods and Men so Dei∣fied, can carry in it so much destructive danger; for if it robs our Souls of Reason, it makes us like to Beasts: And certainly Heaven ne're design'd that Metamorphosis, from whence we have receiv'd the highest proof of that All-conquering Passion: Besides, some with their Reason make their Choice, and what it does approve, it may

subsist with, or banish it, if it too far intrude: That Reason is very weak and sluggish, that suffers and Passion to grow so strong as to supplant it.

Cal.

I do not wish thee so much ill as 'tis unhappily to Love, or else I should be glad to see how you would rule your inclinations, which I confess you mannage well in supposition.

—Would mine were governed by fancy too; I, Player-like, could raign as well as you. We can, unmov'd, hear others sufferings tell, Which, if our own, we should not bear it well.

Eric.

You can no trouble have but what is mine; My love does make my share as great as thine. Unkind Calinda, what is't you intend? To punish your false Lover in your Friend. Can his inconstancy make you despise, That friendship which you once so much did prize? If you so great injustice will allow, Ne're censure him; he did not break his Vow: And who the self-same Errors will commit, In prudence ought in others pardon it.

Cal.

You of injustice talk, whilst only I Find from you both so much you fain would die. Friendship and Love to me are cruel grown; I wish to Heav'n that I had neither known. Were yours true, you would not mine suspect, Our doubt grows strongest from our own defect. You on my Love a blemish fain would throw, That in your change you might less guilty show. Those that are wise do setting Suns forsake, And with the rising ones their friendships make. You know who 'tis has set his heart on fire; Improve your int'rest e're the flame expire.

Love that plays Truant once without a cause, Will still an Out-law be to Honor's Laws: And days, whose mornings do appear most bright, Are often over-cast before 'tis night. If she his seeming passion entertain, His half-made vows will cost his eyes some rain.

Eric.

She cannot greater show'rs for Love let fall, Then I shall do for friendships Funeral. Calinda, by my death you soon will know, Whither to that I have bin true or no: Then I am sure that you will grow more just, And shed some tears for your unkind mistrust.

Cal.

If that can cure thy griefs my doubts have bred, I'le make my eyes another Deluge shed, Dear Ericina, can y' a pardon give, To an offence makes me unfit to live?

Eric.

I can forgive much more then you can do: Love, in that kind, ne're yet a limit knew.

Cal.

I grieve to think I should a debt contract, Of which I cannot pay the Int'rest back.

Eric.

And I am sad to see your heart possest Still with that Love, which gives your thoughts no rest.

Cal.

Thy charming voice would make them calmer grow.

Eric.

I'd sing, and ne're give off, if I thought so.

Cal.

Sing then that Song my humor suits and mind, I'le sit down here, if thou wilt be so kind.

She sits down, and leans melancholly upon her arm.

SONG.

Eric.

1.

Oh, you powerful Gods, if I must be, An injur'd Off'ring to Love's Deity, Grant my revenge, this Plague on men, That Women ne're may love agen:

Then I'le with joy submit unto my Fate, Which by your Justice gives their Empire date.

2

Depose that proud insulting Boy, Who most is pleas'd when he can most destroy: O! let the World no longer govern'd be. By such a Blind and Childish Deity; For if you Gods be in your Power severe, We shall adore you not from love, but fear.

3

But if you'l his Divinity maintain O're men, false men, confine his ••o••••'ring raign; And when their Hearts Love's greatest torments prove, Let that not pity, but our laughter move. Thus scorn'd and lost to all their wishes aim, Let Rage, Despair, and Death, then end their flame.

'Tis very late, my dear Calinda, and we had best be gone.

Cal.

It may be so, for time does slowly pass, That runs by high Afflictions Hour-glass.

Exeunt.