_Alb._ Content thee here, and do not tempt thy Fate, I have regard unto thy Honour, Friend; And should she yield, as Women are no Gods, Where were thy future Joys? What is’t could make thee happy, or restore That true Contentment which thou hadst before? Alas! thou tempt’st me too, for I am frail, And Love above my Friendship may prevail.
_Ant._ This will not do; No, as thou art my Friend, and lov’st my Honour, Pursue _Clarina_ further; Rally afresh, and charge her with this Present, Disturb her every night with Serenades; Make Love-Songs to her, and then sing them too; Thou hast a Voice enough alone to conquer.
_Ant._ Come, wilt thou undertake it once again?
_Ant._ I am resolv’d to get this tryal made, And if thou dost refuse thy Amity, I’ll try a Friend more willing, though less faithful; With thee my Wife and Honour too are safe, For should she yield, and I by that were lost, ‘Twere yet some ease, That none but thou wert witness to’t.
_Alb._ Well, if it must be done, I’ad rather do’t, Than you should be expos’d to th’ scorn of others.
_Ant._ Spoke like my noble Friend; Come dine with her to day, for I must leave you, And give you all the opportunity A real Lover wishes with a Mistress.
_Ant._ Oh, were _Clarina_ chaste, as on my Soul I cannot doubt, more than that I believe All Womankind may be seduc’d from Virtue; I were the Man of all the World most bless’d In such a Wife, and such a Friend as thou.
_Ant._ Then I’ll renounce my faith in Womankind, And place my satisfaction in thy Amity. --But see, she comes, I’ll leave you to your task.
_Ism._ Antonio not yet gone-- This must secure me. [Pulls down her Veil.
_Isab._ I see he has most happily mistaken.
_Ism._ I was going, Sir, to visit _Laura_--
_Ant._ You must not go, I’ve business to the Duke, And you must entertain my Friend till my return; It is a freedom not usual here amongst Ladies, But I will have it so; Whom I esteem, I’ll have you do so too.
_Ism._ Sir, I am all obedience. [Exit _Antonio_, she pulls off her Veil; _Alberto_ salutes her with seeming lowness.
_Alb._ Oh, how my Soul’s divided Between my Adoration and my Amity! [Aside. Friendship, thou sacred band, hold fast thy Interest; For yonder Beauty has a subtle power, And can undo that knot, which other Arts Could ne’er invent a way for.