eard.

_Gal_. No matter, out with it.

_Fal. Erminia_, Madam--

_Phi. Erminia_, what of her?

_Fal_. Is dead, Sir.

_Alcan_. What, hast thou lost thy Wits?

_Fal_. I had them not about me at the sight,
I else had been undone: Alas, _Erminia's_ dead,
Murder'd, and dead.

_Alcan_. It cannot be, thou ly'st.

_Fal_. By _Jove_, I do not, Sir, I saw her dead:
Alas, I ran as I was wont to do,
Without demanding licence, to her Chamber,
But found her not, as I was wont to do, [_The Women weep_.
In a gay humour, but stone-dead and cold.

_Phi. Alcander_, am I awake?--or being so,
Dost not perceive this senseless Flesh of mine
Hardened into a cold benumbed Statue?
--Methinks--it does--support me--or I fall;
And so--shall break to pieces--
[_Falls into his Arms. He leads him out_.

_Gal_. Ah, lovely Maid, was this thy destiny?
Did Heaven create thy Beauties to this end?
--I must distrust their Bounties, who neglected
The best and fairest of their handy-work;
This will incourage Sin, when Innocence
Must perish thus, and meet with no defence.

_Enter the_ King _and_ Orgulius.

_Org_. If murder'd Innocence do cry for Justice,
Can you, great Sir, make a defence against it?

_King_. I think I cannot.

_Org_. Sir, as you are pious, as you are my King,
The Lover and Protector of your People,
Revenge _Erminia's_ Murder on _Alcippus_.

_Gal_. If e'er my Mother, Sir, were dear to you,
As from your Tears I guest whene'er you nam'd her;
If the remembrance of those Charms remain,
Whose weak resemblance you have found in me,
For which you oft have said you lov'd me dearly;
Dispense your mercy, and preserve this Copy,
Which else must perish with th'Original.

_King_. Why all this Conjuration, _Galatea_?

_Gal_. To move you, Sir, to spare _Alcippus'_ Life.

_King_. You are unjust, if you demand a Life
Must fall a Sacrifice to _Erminia's_ Ghost,
That is a debt I have ingag'd to pay.

_Gal_. Sir, if that Promise be already past,
And that your Word be irrevocable,
I vow I will not live a moment after him.

_King_. How, _Galatea_! I'd rather hop'd you'd join'd
Your Prayers with his.

_Gal_. Ah, Sir, the late Petition which I made you
Might have inform'd you why these Knees are bow'd;
'Twas but this night I did confess I lov'd him,
And you would have allow'd that Passion in me,
Had he not been _Erminia's_:
And can you question now what this Address meant?

_Org_. Remember, Sir, _Erminia_ was