Serve him he merits more than man can do! He is so good, praise cannot speak his worth; So just, that were he but a private man, He cou'd not do a wrong. How wou'd you serve him? Cast. I'd serve him with my fortune here at home, And serve him with my person in his wars, Watch for him, fight for him, bleed for him. Pol. Die for him, As ev'ry true-born loyal subject ought. 140 Acast. Let me embrace you both. Now, by the souls Of my brave ancestors, I'm truly happy, For this be ever blest my marriage-day, Blest be your mother's memory that bore you, And doubly blest be that auspicious hour That gave ye birth. "Yes, my aspiring boys, "Ye shall have business, when your master wants you. "You cannot serve a nobler: I have serv'd him; "In this old body yet the marks remain "Of many wounds. I've with this tongue proclaim'd "His right, e'en in the face of rank rebellion; "And when a foul-mouth'd traitor once profan'd "His sacred name, with my good sabre drawn, “E'en at the head of all his giddy rout, "I rush'd, and clove the rebel to the chine." Enter Servant. Ser. My Lord th'expected guests are just arriv'd. Acast. Go you, and give 'em welcome and reception. [Exeunt Castalio, Polydore, Serina, &c. I Cha. My Lord, I stand in need of your assistance In something that concerns my peace and honour. 160 Acast. Spoke like the son of that brave man I lov'd: So freely, friendly, we convers'd together. Whate'er it be, with confidence impart it, Thou shalt command my fortune and my sword. Your bounty shewn to what I hold most dear, Acast. Pr'ythee no more of that, it grates my nature. Cha. When our dear parents dy'd, they dy'd together, One fate surpris'd 'em, and one grave receiv'd 'em; My father, with his dying breath, bequeath'd Her to my love. My mother, as she lay Languishing by him, call'd me to her side, Took me in her fainting arms, wept, and embrac'd me: sighed, Kiss'd me again; so bless'd us, and expir'd. Acast. It speaks an honest nature. Then 180 Cha. The friend Heav'n rais'd was you; you took her up An infant, to the desert world expos'd, Cha. Far be it from my fears. Acast. Then why this argument? Cha. My lord, my nature's jealous, and you'll bear it. Acast. Go on. Cha. Great spirits bear misfortunes hardly. Good offices claim gratitude; and pride, Where pow'r is wanting, will usurp a little, And make us, rather than be thought behind-hand, Acast. I cannot guess your drift; Distrust you me? Cha. No, but I fear her weakness May make her pay her debt at any rate; 200 And, to deal freely with your lordship's goodness, Acast. Then first charge her; and if th' offence be Within my reach, though it should touch my nature, Of thy brave father, whom my heart rejoic'd in, Cha. I thank you from my soul. Mon. Alas! my brother! What have I done? and why do you abuse me? D [Exit. Cha. Pr'ythee, why dost thou talk so? Mon. Look kindly on me then: I cannot bear My heart's so tender, should you charge me rough, And search through all the secrets of my soul. Cha. Fear nothing, I will shew myself a brother, A tender, honest, and a loving brother. You've not forgot our father? Mon. I shall never. 220 Cha. Then you'll remember too, he was a man That liv'd up to the standard of his honour, And priz'd that jewel more than mines of wealth. He'd not have done a shameful thing but once, Though kept in darkness from the world, and hidden, He could not have forgiven it to himself. This was the only portion that he left us ; And I more glory in't, than if possest Of all that ever fortune threw on fools. 'Twas a large trust, and must be managed nicely; Now, if by any chance, Monimia, You have soil'd this gem, and taken from its value, . How will you account with me? Mon. I challenge envy, Malice, and all the practices of hell, To censure all the actions of my past Unhappy life, and taint me if they can! Cha. I'll tell thee, then; three nights ago, as I Lay musing in my bed, all darkness round me, 240 A sudden damp struck to my heart, cold sweat Mon. And for this cause my virtue is suspected! Because in dreams your fancy has been ridden, Cha. Have a care! Labour not to be justify'd too fast. Hear all, and then let justice hold the scale. 265 Her |