break all bonds that came
Between me and my love's desire.

_Gycia._ Irene,
Thou know'st not what thou say'st.

_Ire._ It may be so;
_I_ do not love by halves.

_Gycia._ I do not need
That thou shouldst tutor me, who am so blest
In love's requital. I have nought to learn
From thee, who bearest unrequited love
For one thou wilt not name.

_Ire._ Wouldst thou that I
Should name him? Nay, it were best not, believe me,
For me and thee.

_Gycia._ Why, what were it to me,
Thou luckless woman?

_Ire._ What were it to thee?
More than thou knowest, much.

_Gycia._ And therefore 'tis
That thou dost dare to tutor me to deal
With the man I love, my husband.

_Ire._ Gycia,
Love is a tyrannous power, and brooks no rival
Beside his throne. Dost thou, then, love indeed,
Who art so filled with duty?

_Gycia._ Do I love?
Ay, from the depths of my enamoured heart!
I am all his own to make or break at will.
Only my duty to the State my mother
And the thrice-blessed memory of my sire
Forbids that I should sink my soul in his,
Or, loving, grow unworthy. But, indeed,
Thou pleadest his cause as if thyself did love him.

_Ire._ As if I loved!--as if!

_Gycia._ Indeed, 'tis well
Thou didst not, were he free, for he, it seems,
Has known of thee, and speaks not kindly words.
I know not wherefore.

_Ire._ Did he speak of me?

_Gycia._ Ay, that he did.

_Ire._ And what said he?

_Gycia._ I think
'Twere best thou didst not know.

_Ire._ Tell me, I prithee;
I can bear to hear.

_Gycia._ 'Twas but a hasty word,
And best forgotten.

_Ire._ But I prithee tell me,
What said he?

_Gycia._ That 'twere best I were alone
Than commercing with thee, since thou wert not
My fit companion.

_Ire._ Said he that, the coward?

_Gycia._ I am his wife, Irene.

_Ire._ What care I?
I have loved this man too well, before he saw thee.
There, thou hast now my secret. I have loved him,
And he loved me, and left me, and betrayed me.
Was it for him to brand me with t