Comedies and tragedies written by Thomas Killigrew ...
Killigrew, Thomas, 1612-1683.

ACT. V. SCEN. I.

Enter Manlius, and Lucius, (as from the Hermitage.)
Lucius.

O Manlius, the gods then decreed my ruine when they let thee fall from Honour; Thy wilde Injuries di∣stracted me; A Brother and a Friend at once I lost, and at a time when I had most need of Counsel, Anger having broke her bounds, despising love and reason; and that hedge thrown down all the ills that uncollected man is capable of, like weeds, possest my wild breast, and over-ran my mind.

Manlius.

I cannot but wonder at your Jealousie for those few days past, when I was so bold in ill as to tell her my crime; she was then all Lucius's; The gods and my Brother had onely Interest in her heart; Nor can I, in all your discourse, gather one cause of anger but her silence, that onely was her fault; for she was not in Passion though Lucius was; and therefore her friendship should calmly have cleared his doubts, and rather have quenched his an∣ger with kindness then have kindled hers at his passion.

Lucius.

No more, dear Manlius; though thou art now my dear Brother, yet from thee my kindness must not hear the least de∣tracting word, not a thought that tends to accusing the Princess; 'Tis the Quarrel I have against my self, which no friend shall re∣concile; I hate Lucius for that sin so much, that thy kindness, which is now new heat by a happy reconciliation, and would now receive all impressions from thee easier and readier then before our unkind∣ness; I must not hear thee speak in that strain: shall I, that would not have heard my bosome friend say the Princess loved Lucius,Page  299 endure to hear it told me, she is false? as if her love had been a Crime or sin, and her falshood a virtue? No, dear Manlius, thou canst witness, with a Sacred Reverence We held our Loves, till this fatal Jealousie robb'd me of my Reason.

Manlius.

Reason had saved us both, But the gods will not let Reason be always in Season; Men came too near their Deity, did not our Passions master us, could we keep them tame and low, how quickly our hearts would have found the precipice we stood upon; When we both made it our business to find arguments to hate what we loved, and with tongues and words strove to publish to the world that lie that said Manlius hated Lucius, or Lucius could hate Cicilia.

Luc.

And I, that all my days despised the worlds opinion, and their way of love: Did we love like the common people? Did we make the world our Judge, or guide to love by? No, no, nor shall their depraved Customs stand Examples for Lucius now his Reason is re∣turned. How I will oppose her past favors against my present fears, and they will defend Lucius; This thought, and such a friend as Manlius yesterday might have saved me from this misery; He might have told me how late I came to Court; When love with all his strength had besieged her heart, youth and beauty, honour and fortune, power and wealth, were there seconded by all that were famous for Arts or Parts; Thus engaged I found her heart, yet their Batteries, nor Mines, nor Assaults, nor Intelligence within, could win the Excellent Cicilia; who, with honour made defence, till Lu∣cius, (Then too happy Lucius) came and rais'd the siege; In which he such glory got, he stood the envy of the gods and men, till this Cursed Jealousie struck him to the Earth.

Manlius.

Had not I been mad too, a friend might have saved us both; a Friend is the staff and safety of our Peace; he might have said, shall we, when a friend loses a Limb, or Childe, or any other the lesser gifts of Fortune; Or if by sickness afflicted, will Lucius in these cases be sad, and shew an Extraordinary kindness in Tears, or diligence to give them Comfort; and when his Mistress has broke her Faith, or lost her Honour, will he then be angry, and seek a Revenge? how unreasonable were such an Action, to add his afflictions to the shame and trouble of her mind; her guilt would be load enough without thy hatred or thy anger; sooner fatal wounds should let out my life, to banish from her sight an Object that upbraids her, e're I revil'd the name I lov'd; such a hate de∣clares 'twas self-love, else thou wouldst pity her now; and in this sickness of her mind, at all rates of mercy and kindness, compass her peace; such a generous silence, and handsome bearing of her Injuries would speak thy love to her; and who knows what such a Cordial may work upon the most desperate disease that love is subject to, and restore her heart, or at least pay that debt Lucius owes her, whose mercy could not see him sad, but at the rate of her self once bought his Peace.

Lucius.

O Manlius, chide me still, chide me, till my blushing soul has with shame and hatred of my self expiated my guilt.

Page  300
Manlius.

Heark, Sir, the Noise of people draws this way, pray let us retire; and if Calis can prevail with the Princess, here you may find an unexpected blessing, for she has promised me assoon as they can lose the Company, to guide her, as if 'twere by chance, to this place, to beg her pardon for that fault which you must both for∣give; But I would not have her see you, till Calis be acquainted with with your being here; Heark, they draw near, pray let us retire.

[Exeunt.