Act 3 — Scene I. A Room in Salvator’s House.

Fred. Laura, consider well my Quality, And be not angry with your Father’s Confidence, Who left us here alone. Lau. He will repent that Freedom when he knows What use you’ve made on’t, Sir. Fred. Fy, fy, Laura, a Lady bred at Court, and Yet want complaisance enough to entertain A Gallant in private! this coy Humour Is not à-la-mode.—Be not so peevish with a Heart that dies for you. Lau. Pray tell me, Sir, what is’t in me that can Encourage this? Fred. That which is in all lovely Women, Laura; A thousand Blushes play about your Cheeks, Which shows the briskness of the Blood that warms them. —If I but tell you how I do adore you, You strait decline your Eyes; Which does declare you understand my meaning, And every Smile or Frown betrays your thoughts, And yet you cry, you do not give me cause.

Maid. Curtius, Madam, waits without. Fred. I do not like his haste, —Tell him he cannot be admitted now. Lau. Sir, he is one that merits better treatment from you; How can you injure thus the Man you love? Fred. Oh Madam, ask your Eyes, those powerful Attracts. And do not call their Forces so in question, As to believe they kindle feeble Fires, Such as a Friendship can surmount. No, Laura, They’ve done far greater Miracles. Lau. Sir, ’tis in vain you tell me of their Power, Unless they could have made a nobler Conquest Than Hearts that yield to every petty Victor. —Look on me well, Can nothing here inform you of my Soul, And how it scorns to treat on these Conditions? Looks on him, he gazes with a half Smile. Fred. Faith, no, Laura. I see nothing there but wondrous Beauty, And a deal of needless Pride and Scorn, And such as may be humbled. Lau. Sir, you mistake, that never can abate. But yet I know your Power may do me injuries; But I believe you’re guilty of no Sin, Save your Inconstancy, which is sufficient; And, Sir, I beg I may not be the first Kneels and weeps. May find new Crimes about you. Fred. Rise, Laura, thou hast but too many Beauties, Which pray be careful that you keep conceal’d. Offers to go. Lau. I humbly thank you, Sir. Fred.—But why should this interposing Virtue check me? —Stay, Laura, tell me; must you marry Curtius? Lau. Yes, Sir, I must. Fred. Laura, you must not. Lau. How, Sir! Fred. I say you shall not marry him, Unless you offer up a Victim, That may appease the Anger you have rais’d in me. Lau. I’ll offer up a thousand Prayers and Tears. Fred. That will not do. Since thou’st deny’d my just Pretensions to thee, No less than what I told you of shall satisfy me. Lau. Oh, where is all your Honour and your Virtue? Fred. Just where it was, there’s no such real thing. I know that thou wert made to be possest, And he that does refuse it, loves thee least. —There’s danger in my Love, and your Delay, And you are most secure whilst you obey. He pulls her gently. Lau. Then this shall be my safety, hold off, She draws a Dagger. Or I’ll forget you are my Prince. He laughs. Fred. Pretty Virago, how you raise my Love? —I have a Dagger too; what will you do? Shows her a Dagger.

Cur. Your Pardon, Sir, I meant it on a Ravisher, A foul misguided Villain, Bows. One that scarce merits the brave name of Man; One that betrays his Friend, forsakes his Wife, And would commit a Rape upon my Mistress. Fred. Her Presence is thy Safety, be gone and leave me. Cur. By no means, Sir; the Villain may return, To which fair Laura, should not be expos’d. Fred. Slave, dar’st thou disobey? Offers to fight. Cur. Hold, Sir, and do not make me guilty of a Sin, Greater than that of yours.

Salv. Gods pity me; here’s fine doings!—Why, how Came this roistring Youngster into my House? Sir, Who sent for you, hah? Cur. Love. Salv. Love, with a Witness to whom? my Daughter? —No, Sir, she’s otherwise dispos’d of I can assure You. Be gone and leave my House, and that quickly Too; and thank me that I do not secure Thee for a Traitor. Cur. Will you not hear me speak? Salv. Not a word, Sir, go, be gone; unless your Highness will have him apprehended. To Fred. Fred. No, Sir, it shall not need—Curtius, look To hear from me.— Comes up to him, and tells him so in a menacing Tone, and go out severally.