PERSEDA. Then let me live a Christian virgin still, Unless my state shall alter by my will. SOLIMAN. My word is past, and I recall my passions: What should he do with crowns and empery, That cannot govern private, fond affections? Yet give me leave in honest sort to court thee, To ease, though not to cure, my malady! Come, sit thee down upon my right-hand here; This seat I keep void for another friend.-- Go, Janissaries, call in your governor; So shall I joy between two captive friends, And yet myself be captive to them both, If friendship's yoke were not at liberty:-- See where he comes, my other best-beloved. _Enter_ ERASTUS. PERSEDA. My sweet and best-beloved! ERASTUS. My sweet and best-beloved! PERSEDA. For thee, my dear Erastus, have I liv'd. ERASTUS. And I for thee, or else I had not liv'd. SOLIMAN. What words in affection do I see? ERASTUS. Ah, pardon me, great Soliman; for this is she For whom I mourn'd more than for all Rhodes, And from whose absence I derived my sorrow. PERSEDA. And pardon me, my lord; for this is he For whom I thwarted Soliman's entreats, And for whose exile I lamented thus. ERASTUS. Ev'n from my childhood have I tender'd thee; Witness the heavens of my unfeigned love. SOLIMAN. By this one accident I well perceive, That heav'ns and heav'nly powers do manage love. I love them both, I know not which the better: They love each other best. What then should follow, But that I conquer both by my deserts, And join their hands, whose hearts are knit already?-- Erastus and Perseda, come you hither, And both give me your hands.-- Erastus, none but thou couldst win Perseda: Perseda, none but thou couldst win Erastus-- From great Soliman; so well I love you both. And now, to turn late promises to good effect, Be thou, Erastus, governor of Rhodes: By this thou shalt dismiss my garrison. BRUSOR. Must he reap that, for which I took the toil? Come envy, then, and sit in friendship's seat; How can I love him that enjoys my right? [_Aside._ SOLIMAN. Give me a crown to crown the bride withal.-- [_Then he crowns_ PERSEDA.