! I'm his wife!

_Pol._ What says Monimia?

_Mon._ I am Castalio's wife!

_Pol._ His marry'd, wedded, wife?

_Mon._ Yesterday's sun
Saw it perform'd!

_Pol._ My brother's wife?

_Mon._ As surely as we both
Must taste of misery, that guilt is thine.

_Pol._ Oh! thou may'st yet be happy!

_Mon._ Couldst thou be
Happy, with such a weight upon thy soul?

_Pol._ It may be yet a secret--I'll go try
To reconcile and bring Castalio to thee!
Whilst from the world I take myself away,
And waste my life in penance for my sin.

_Mon._ Then thou wouldst more undo me: heap a load
Of added sin upon my wretched head!
Wouldst thou again have me betray thy brother,
And bring pollution to his arms?--Curs'd thought!
Oh! when shall I be mad indeed! [_exit._

_Pol._ Then thus I'll go;--
Full of my guilt, distracted where to roam:
I'll find some place where adders nest in winter,
Loathsome and venomous; where poisons hang
Like gums against the walls: there I'll inhabit,
And live up to the height of desperation.
Desire shall languish like a with'ring flower,
Horrors shall fright me from those pleasing harms,
And I'll no more be caught with beauty's charms. [_exit._

ACT THE FIFTH.

SCENE I. A GARDEN.

_Castalio discovered lying on the ground; soft music._

_Cas._ See where the deer trot after one another;
No discontent they know; but in delightful
Wildness and freedom, pleasant springs, fresh herbage,
Calm arbours, lusty health, and innocence,
Enjoy their portion:--if they see a man,
How will they turn together all, and gaze
Upon the monster!
Once in a season, too, they taste of love:
Only the beast of reason is its slave;
And in that folly drudges all the year.

_Enter Acasto._

_Acas._ Castalio! Castalio!

_Cas._ Who's there
So wretched but to name Castalio?

_Acas._ I hope my message may succeed.

_Cas._ My father!
'Tis joy to see you, though where sorrow's nourish'd.

_Acas._ Castalio, you must go along with me,
And see Monimia.

_Cas._ Sure my lord but mocks me:
Go see Monimia?

_Acas._ I say, no more dispute.
Complaints are made to me that you have wrong'd her.

_Cas._ Who has complain'd?

_Acas._ Her brother to my face proclaim'd her wrong'd,
And in such terms they've warm'd me.

_Cas._ What terms? Her brother! Heaven!
Where learn'd he that?
What, does she send her hero with defiance?
He durst not sure affront you?

_Acas._ No, not much:
But----

_Cas._ Speak, what