The tragedy of Ovid written by Sir Aston Cokain, Baronet.

Scena Tertia.

Enter Pyrontus, and Clorina.

Clorina.

For shame (Pyrontus) cease to pro∣secute A suit so much beneath your Honour, and So prejudiciall to my Reputation: I must not hear you.

Pyron.

What a misery, To be condemn'd to an eternall penury, And be forbidden to complain! Fair, cruell

Clorina,

do not so insult. Although I am most wretched, it's in your power to make me Happy, when you shall please to be but kind.

Clorina,

I am not of a salvage nature, nei∣ther Ever rejoyc'd at my bodie's Grief, I wish you all content, and ever did A wife superiour unto me in all things. Sink not beneath this passion of your Love, You under-valued evermore your merits,

To think of me in that way

Pyron.

You abuse The truest affection amorous heart did ever Pay to his Mistriss, if you think I can Efface your image in my soul. The centre Of this vast Globe we breath on, is not faster Fix'd then your Beauties here: Here in my Bo∣some They sit tryumphant. Aetna in its torrey-En∣trals Doth nourish lesser. Flames▪ then burn me daily. And yet you have no pitty for my sufferings.

Clorina.

Alas! what would you have the make my self A Beast, of such an horrid name I tremble But to think of it? all tho Gods forbid, Would you have her, whom you have cast a∣way Some kindness on, become an Whore? My heart Trembles to think upon't. And the swift Lightning Of Blushes flies into my Cheeks▪ Me thinks▪ My tongue doth burn like fire within my Mouth Since it did mention so abhord a name

Pyron,

Will you then never think me worth your mercy Shall the vain terrors of an empty name,

Condemn me to a languishing life for ever.

Clorina.

You gods are Witnesses, that know my thoughts, I would not by the wrack of Chastity, And proving to my marriage false, redeem My self from the most cruel death that Ty∣rant Did ever invent for his most hated enemy.

Pyron.

More merciless than worst of all those Tyrants! Can you refuse a Courtesy to me, Which my assidnous services may plead for? And such an one, as can be never known, Neither impoverish you in the least degree? Reflect upon my misery, sweet Clorina, And imitate the gods in Mercy.

Clorina.

Rather the Fiends, if I should be so wicked. The Lord Pyrontus (whom I heretofore Did look upon as a most noble Person, Accomplish'd with the virtues) hath declar'd Or Counterfeited himself an Atheist, to Allure Clorina from her Purity. The gods see every thing. Nature, nor Art, Can any thing conceal from them. Thoughts which Did never take the aire in words, to them Discover'd lye: And is it not far worse, To have the gods to see our Crimes then men? Could I prove guilty of so foul a fault,

I should impoverish my self to nothing; A Bankrupt be in honor; which who wants Is a companion fit for such wild people, As never heard the name of virtue. Riches Are Fortune's Trifles, neither altogether To be despis'd, or doted on, but well us'd. Poor Virtue is most rich. Virtue it self Was (by the Ancients) held the greatest wealth.

Pyron.

In your Discourse you are too much a Stoick: Young Ladies hearts should not so utterly Be void of all Compassion.

Clorina.

I must leave you,

Pyron.

Not without hope of Comfort, I be∣seech you, Let me but tast of those sweet Delicacies You cloy Bassanes with, if it be possible He can be satiated with such delights.

Clorina.

I trespass on my modesty to hear you.

Exit.

Pyron.

In a condition she so sad hath left me, Joy is become an Exile from my heart. To love and not be lov'd, is such a Curse Jove (on his Foes) cannot inflict a worse.

Exit.