thou too, wife. 'Twere better, ay, far better,
That I should get me gone, and my wife with me,
Than be pent here unwilling; but were it better
Or were it worse, be sure I will not stay
When duty calls me hence. Wife, wilt thou come?

_Gycia._ My lord, I cannot.

_Asan._ Then, I go alone.

_Zetho._ Nay, thou shalt not. Ho there! arrest the Prince.

[Guards _arrest_ ASANDER.

_Asan._ Unhand me. At your peril.

[_Draws._

_Gycia._ Oh, my husband!

[_Weeps._

SCENE III.--_A room in the palace._

IRENE; _afterwards_ GYCIA.

_Ire._ What! am I mad, or does some devilish power
Possess me heart and soul? I once loved Gycia;
I love Asander with o'ermastering love,
And yet these frequent rumours of dissensions
Marring the smooth course of their wedded life
Bring me a swift, fierce joy. If aught befell
To separate those lovers, then might Fate
And Chance open for me the golden doors
That lead to Love's own shrine; and yet I know not
If any power might melt to mutual love
That too-cold heart. But still, no other chance
Is left but this alone: if I should force
Those loving souls apart, then 'twere my turn.
Am I a monster, then, to will this wrong?
Nay, but a lovesick woman only, willing
To dare all for her passion. Though I loathe
Those crooked ways, yet love, despite myself,
Drives me relentless onward.

_Enter_ GYCIA.

Dearest lady,
Why art thou thus cast down? Some lovers' quarrel,
To be interred with kisses?

_Gycia._ Nay, Irene,
This is no lovers' quarrel.

_Ire._ Tell me, Gycia,
What was the cause?

_Gycia._ The King of Bosphorus
Is ailing, and desires to see his son,
Who fain would go to him.

_Ire._ And thou refusedst
To let thy lover go?

[_Laughs mockingly._

_Gycia._ Nay, 'twas not so;
But politic reasons of the State forbad
The Prince's absence.

_Ire._ Well, whate'er the cause,
The old man fain would see his son, and thou
Deniedst.

_Gycia._ I denied him what the State
Denied him, and no more.

_Ire._ The State denied him!
What does it profit thee to be the daughter
Of Lamachus, if thou art fettered thus
In each wish of thy heart? If it were I,
And he my love, I would