Thou hast beheld her tears. Alt. I have seen her weep; I have seen that lovely one, that dear Calista, That thou, my friend, Horatio, thou hast wrong'd her. fed From that rich stream which warms her heart, and number'd For ev'ry falling tear a drop of blood, It had not been too much; for she has ruin'd thee, Is she not more than painting can express, "Does she not come, like wisdom, or good fortune, "Replete with blessings, giving wealth and honour? "The dowry which she brings is peace and pleasure, "And everlasting joys are in her arms.” 260 Hor. It had been better thou had'st liv'd a beggar, And fed on scraps at great men's surly doors, Than to have match'd with one so false, so fatal. Alt. It is too much for friendship to allow thee. Because I tamely bore the wrong thou didst her, Thou dost avow the barb'rous, brutal part, And urge the injury ev'n to my face. Hor. I see she has got possession of thy heart; She has charm'd thee, like a syren, to her bed, With looks of love, and with enchanting sounds : Too late the rocks and quicksands will appear, Alt. If thy friendship Do churlishly deny my love a room, It is not worth my keeping; I disclaim it. Hor. Canst thou so soon forget what I've been to thee? I shar'd the task of nature with thy father, And form'd with care thy unexperienc'd youth 280 To virtue and to arms. Thy noble father, Oh, thou light young man! Wou'd he have us'd me thus? One fortune fed us; For his was ever mine, mine his, and both Together flourish'd, and together fell. He call'd me friend, like thec: wou'd he have left me' Thus, for a woman, and a vile one, too? Alt. Thou canst not, dar'st not mean it! Speak again, Say, who is vile; but dare not name Calista. Hor. I had not spoke at first, unless compell'd, And forc'd to clear myself; but since thus urg'd, I must avow, I do not know a viler. Alt. Thou wert my father's friend; he lov'd thee well; "A kind of venerable mark of him "Hangs round thee, and protects thee from my vengeance." I cannot, dare not lift my sword against thee, But henceforth never let me see thee more. [Going out. Alt. Let go my arm. [Holds him. 301 Hor. If honour be thy care, if thou would'st live Without the name of credulous, wittol husband, Avoid thy bride, shun her detested bed, The joys it yields are dash'd with poison Alt. Off! To urge me but a minute more is fatal. Alt. Madness and raging! But hence Hor. Dishonour'd by the man you hate Alt. I pr'ythee loose me yet, for thy own sake, If life be worth the keeping Hor. By Lothario. Alt. Perdition take thee, villain, for the falsehood! [Strikes him. Now, nothing but thy life can make atonement. Hor. A blow! thou hast us'd me well- [Draws. Alt. This to thy heart Hor. Yet hold-By Heav'n his father's in his face! Spite of my wrongs, my heart runs o'er with tender ness And I could rather die myself than hurt him. 321 Alt. Defend thyself; for by my much wrong'd love, I swear, the poor evasion shall not save thee. F Hor. Yet hold-" thou know'st I dare-think how we've liv'd [They fight; Altamont presses on Horatio, who retires. "Nay then, 'tis brutal violence; and thus, "Thus Nature bids me guard the life she gave. "[They fight." LAVINIA enters, and runs between their swords. Lav. My brother, my Horatio! Is it possible! Oh, turn your cruel swords upon Lavinia. If you must quench your impious rage in blood, Behold, my heart shall give you all her store, To save those dearer streams that flow from yours. Alt. 'Tis well thou hast found a safe-guard; none but this, No pow'r on earth could save thee from my fury. "Lav. O fatal, deadly sound!" Hor. Safety from thee! Away, vain boy! Hast thou forgot the rev'rence Lav. What busy, meddling fiend, what foe to good ness, Could kindle such a discord? "Oh, lay by "Those most ungentle looks, and angry weapons, "Unless you mean my griefs and killing fears "Should stretch me out at your relentless feet, "A wretched corse, the victim of your fury." 340 Hor. Ask'st thou what made us foes? 'Twas base in. gratitude, 'Twas such a sin to friendship, as Heav'n's mercy, That strives with man's untoward, monstrous wicked ness, Unwearied with forgiving, scarce could pardon. Alt. Thou art my sister, and I would not make thee He has but ill repaid Sciolto's bounty. We must not meet; 'tis dangerous. Farewel. [He is going out, Lavinia holds him. Lav. Stay, Altamont, my brother, stay; "if ever "Nature, or what is nearer much than nature, "The kind consent of our agreeing minds, "Have made us dear to one another, stay, 360 "And speak one gentle word to your Horatio. "Behold, his anger melts, he longs to love you, "To call you friend, then press you hard, with all “The tender, speechless joy of reconcilement.” Alt. It cannot, shall not be-you must not hold me. Lav. Look kindly, then. Alt. Each minute that I stay, Is a new injury to fair Calista. From thy false friendship, to her arms I'll fly ; "There, if in any pause of love I rest, "Breathless with bliss, upon her panting breast, |