Page 191
Thus it was Acted the Comical way; the Alteration beginning in ACT IV. towards the latter end, after these words,
—And injur'd Love—
Sulp.
Come, Madam, fly the sight of what you hate;
If he pursue us, stop him with his fate.
Ser.
She call'd me Monster, and implor'd their aid;
Hersilia or her Virtue is betray'd.
Slaves, let me pass.
1.
—Stop, or we'll make you stay.
Sert.
When 'tis deny'd I use to force my way.
They sight, he kills one; Marcellina enters and takes up his Sword and kills another; the rest fly.
Sert.
How like a helping Deity you prove!
At once your pow'r has given Life and Love.
Mar.
What Love, Sertorius?
Sert.
—That which was due
Once to Hersilia, is now so to you.
Mar.
Take heed; for though this Passion seems to be
A gratitude, 'tis still Inconstancy.
Sert.
If Love admits a change, though it does grow
From Virtue, will the change a Vice still shew?
Mar.
I fear it must; for Constancy's above
All other Virtues that belong to Love.
Sert.
If Virtue meerly dwells in Constancy,
By that strange Rule then all Mankind shou'd be
Firm to the error which they first embrac'd;
For error is no more than Love ill plac'd.
Mar.
By this large rule, if ever you confess
Your Love ill plac'd, 'tis just to love me less:
If Love to those that most oblige is due,
Fortune disposes of your Love, not you.
Sert.
In Love's adventures Fortune busie shews;
But 'tis not she, but you, the Love bestows.
What diff'rence in this Argument is shewn,
To shake my Love, and to confirm your own!
Mar.
Mine is the same, and never can be less.
Sert.
Yours will enough secure my happiness.
Come Fairest, let us thus pursue our Friends;
Where you begin to help, misfortune ends.
Thus as you are appear a Deity,
Like an arm'd Pallas crown'd with Victory.
Exeunt.