Page:A Series of Plays on the Passions Volume 3.pdf/342

Cred'lous alone of evil—I have lost,
And have deserv'd to lose her.

Aur. Oh! be not thus! Have I no power to soothe thee?
See, good Terentia weeps, and fain would try
To speak thee comfort.

Ter. (coming forward.) Aye; bethink thee well,
Most noble Ermingard, heaven grants thee still
All that is truly precious of her love,—
Her true and dear regard.

Erm. Then heaven forgive my black ingratitude,
For I am most unthankful!

Ter.Nay, consider,
Her heart is thine: you are in mind united.

Erm. United! In the farthest nook o' th' earth
I may in lonely solitude reflect,
That in some spot—some happier land she lives
And thinks of me. Is this to be united?

Aur. I cannot, in a Page's surtout clad,
Thy steps attend as other maids have done
To other Knights.

Erm.No, by the holy rood!
Thou canst not, and thou should'st not. Rather would I,
Dear as thou art, weep o'er thee in thy grave,
Than see thee so degraded.

Aur.Hear me out.
I cannot so attend thee—noon and eve
Thy near companion be; but I have heard
That near the sacred houses of your Order,