Why wouldst thou study ways to damn me farther? And force the sin of parricide upon me? 541 Pol. 'Twas my own fault, and thou art innocent; And close the eyes of one that has betray'd thee? fate Has weigh'd thee down into destruction with him. Mon. When I am laid low i'th'grave, and quite forgotten, Mayst thou be happy in a fairer bride; But none can ever love thee like Monimia. When I am dead, as presently I shall be, (For the grim tyrant grasps my heart already) Speak well of me; and if thou find ill tongues, Too busy with my fame, don't hear me wrong'd; 560 "Twill be a noble justice to the memory Of a poor wretch, once honour'd with thy love. How my head swims! 'tis very dark. Good night. [Dies. Cast. If I survive thee-what a thought was that? Thank Heav'n, I go prepar'd against that curse. Enter CHAMONT, disarmed and seiz'd by Acasto and servants. Cha. Gape earth, and swallow me to quick destruction, If I forgive your house! if I not live An everlasting plague to thee, Acasto, And all thy race. Ye've o'erpower'd me now; Strike bolts thro' me, and through the curs'd Castalio. "Acast. My Polydore ! "Pol. Who calls? "Acast. How cam'st thou wounded?" Cast. Stand off, thou hot-brain'd, boist'rous, noisy ruffian, And leave me to my sorrows. Cha. By the love I bore her living, I will ne'er forsake her; 580 But here remain, 'till my heart burst with sobbing. Cast. Vanish, I charge thee, or- [Draws a dagger. Cha. Thou canst not kill me; That would be kindness, and against thy nature. Tell me, I beg you, tell me the sad cause Pol. That must be my task : But 'tis too long for one in pains to tell; You'll in my closet find the story written Cast. Thou, unkind Chamont, Unjustly hast pursu’d me with thy hate, And sought the life of him that never wrong'd thee: Cha. What? Cast. First, thyself, As I do, and the hour that gave thee birth: Acast. Have patience. Cast. Patience! preach it to the winds, The roaring seas, or raging fires! the knaves 6co [Stabs himself. "Pol. Castalio! oh! Cast. "I come." Chamont, to thee my birth-right I bequeath; 620 [Acasto faints into the arms of a servant. For I perceive they fall with weight upon him. And, for Monimia's sake, whom thou wilt find I never wrong'd, be kind to poor Serina. Now, all I beg, is, lay me in one grave Thus with my love. Farewel. I now am-nothing. [Dies. Cha. Take care of good Acasto, whilst I go To search the means by which the fates have plagu'd us. 'Tis thus that Heav'n its empire does maintain; It may afflict, but man must not complain. THE END. [Exeunt omnes. EPILOGUE. SPOKEN BY SERINA. YOU'VE seen one orphan ruin'd here; and I go a conventicling twice a week? ? Quit the lewd stage, and its profane pollution, |