self in a
hermitage; and that he resided for three years as an anchorite, on
the top of a mountain in Dalmatia.

EPILOGUE,

SPOKEN BETWIXT ANTONIO AND MORAYMA

_Mor._ I quaked at heart, for fear the royal fashion
Should have seduced us two to separation:
To be drawn in, against our own desire,
Poor I to be a nun, poor you, a friar.

_Ant._ I trembled, when the old man's hand was in,
He would have proved we were too near of kin:
Discovering old intrigues of love, like t'other, }
Betwixt my father and thy sinful mother; }
To make us sister Turk and Christian brother. }

_Mor._ Excuse me there; that league should have been rather
Betwixt your mother and my Mufti father;
'Tis for my own and my relations' credit,
Your friends should bear the bastard, mine should get it.

_Ant._ Suppose us two, Almeyda and Sebastian,
With incest proved upon us--

_Mor._ Without question,
Their conscience was too queazy of digestion.

_Ant._ Thou wouldst have kept the counsel of thy brother,
And sinned, till we repented of each other.

_Mor._ Beast as you are, on Nature's laws to trample!
'Twere fitter that we followed their example.
And, since all marriage in repentance ends,
'Tis good for us to part when we are friends.
To save a maid's remorses and confusions,
E'en leave me now before we try conclusions.

_Ant._ To copy their example, first make certain
Of one good hour, like theirs, before our parting;
Make a debauch, o'er night, of love and madness;
And marry, when we wake, in sober sadness.

_Mor._ I'll follow no new sects of your inventing.
One night might cost me nine long months repenting;
First wed, and, if you find that life a fetter,
Die when you please; the sooner, sir, the better.
My wealth would get me love ere I could ask it:
Oh! there's a strange temptation in the casket.
All these young sharpers would my grace importune,
And make me thundering votes of lives and fortune[1].

Footnote:
1. Alluding to the addresses upon the Revolution.

* * * * *

END OF THE SEVENTH VOLUME.

Edinburgh:

Printed by James Ballantyne & Co.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works Of John Dryden, Vol. 7
(of 18), by John Dryden