this treacherous Man--
Who has for ever robb'd me of my rest?
Had I but kept my Innocence intire,
I had out-brav'd my Fate, and broke my Chains,
Which now I bear like a poor guilty Slave,
Who sadly crys, If I were free from these,
I am not from my Crimes; so still lives on,
And drags his loathed Fetters after him.
Why should I fear to die, or murder him?
It is but adding one Sin more to th' number.
This-- would soon do't-- but where's the Hand to guide it?
[Draws a Dagger, sighs.
For 'tis an act too horrid for a Woman. [Turns away.
But yet thus sleeping I might take that Soul, [Turns to him.
Which waking all the Charms of Art and Nature
Had not the Power t'effect.
Oh were I brave, I could remember that,
And this way be the Mistress of his Heart.
But mine forbids it should be that way won;
No, I must still love on, in spite of me,
And wake him quickly, lest one Moment's thought
Upon my Shame should urge me to undo him.
_Antonio_, _Antonio_.
[He wakes, rises, and looks amazedly to see the Dagger in her Hand.

_Ant._ Vile Woman, why that Dagger in that Hand?

_Hip._ To've kill'd thee with,
But that my Love o'ercame my juster Passion,
And put it in thy Power to save thy self;
Thank that, and not my Reason for thy Life.

_Ant._ She's doubly arm'd, with that and Injury,
And I am wounded and defenceless. [Aside.
_Hippolyta_, why all this Rage to me? [Kindly smiles.

_Hip._ _Antonio_, thou art perjur'd, false and base.
[In great Rage.

_Ant._ What said my fairest Mistress?
[Goes to her looking softly.

_Hip._ I said that thou wert perjur'd, false and base.
[Less in Rage.

_Ant._ My dear _Hippolyta_, speak it again,
I do not understand thee, [Takes her by the Hand.

_Hip._ I said that thou wert perjur'd, my _Antonio_. [Sighs.

_Ant._ Thou wert to blame, but 'twas thy Jealousy.
Which being a Fault of Love I will excuse.
Give me that Mark of Anger, prithee do,
It misbecomes thy Hand.

_Hip._ I've nothing left but this I can command,
And do not ravish this too.

_Ant._ It is unkind thus to suspect my Love;
Will you make no Allowance for my Humour?
I am by Nature rough, and cannot please,
With Eyes and Words all soft as others can,
But I can love as truly my blunt way.

_Hip._ You were so soft when first you conquer'd me.
[Sighs.
That but the Thoughts of that dear Face and Eyes,
So manag'