nd by the event condemned, or justified.
Presence of mind, and courage in distress,
Are more than armies, to procure success. [_Exeunt._

ACT III. SCENE I.

ARIMANT, _with a letter in his hand:_ INDAMORA.

_Arim._ And I the messenger to him from you?
Your empire you to tyranny pursue:
You lay commands, both cruel and unjust,
To serve my rival, and betray my trust.

_Ind._ You first betrayed your trust, in loving me;
And should not I my own advantage see?
Serving my love, you may my friendship gain;
You know the rest of your pretences vain.
You must, my Arimant, you must be kind:
'Tis in your nature, and your noble mind.

_Arim._ I'll to the king, and straight my trust resign.

_Ind._ His trust you may, but you shall never mine.
Heaven made you love me for no other end,
But to become my confidant and friend:
As such, I keep no secret from your sight,
And therefore make you judge how ill I write:
Read it, and tell me freely then your mind;
If 'tis indited, as I meant it, kind.

_Arim._ _I ask not heaven my freedom to restore,_ [_Reading._
_But only for your sake_--I'll read no more:
And yet I must--
_Less for my own, than for your sorrow sad_-- [_Reading._
Another line, like this, would make me mad--
Heaven! she goes on--yet more--and yet more kind! [_As reading._
Each sentence is a dagger to my mind.
_See me this night_-- [_Reading._
_Thank fortune, who did such a friend provide,
For faithful Arimant shall be your guide._
Not only to be made an instrument,
But pre-engaged without my own consent!

_Ind._ Unknown to engage you still augments my score,
And gives you scope of meriting the more.

_Arim._ The best of men
Some interest in their actions must confess;
None merit, but in hope they may possess.
The fatal paper rather let me tear,
Than, like Bellerophon, my own sentence bear.

_Ind._ You may; but 'twill not be your best advice:
'Twill only give me pains of writing twice.
You know you must obey me, soon or late:
Why should you vainly struggle with your fate?

_Arim._ I thank thee, heaven, thou hast been wondrous kind!
Why am I thus to slavery designed,
And yet am cheated with a freeborn mind?
Or make thy orders with my reason suit,
Or let me live by sense a glorious brute-- [_She frowns._
You frown, and I obey with speed, before
That dreadful sentence comes, _See me no more:_
See me no more!