_Cal._ I confess I gave him a strong potion to work Upon his hot bloud, and I hope 'twill cure him: Yet I could wish the cause had concern'd others, I might have met his sorrows with more pity; At least have lent some counsel to his miseries, Though now for honours sake, I must forget him, And never know the name more of _Lisander_: Yet in my justice I am bound to grant him, (Laying his love aside) most truely noble. But mention him no more, this instant hour My Brother _Lidian_, new return'd from travel, And his brave friend _Clarange_, long since rivals For fair and rich _Olinda_, are to hear Her absolute determination, whom She pleases to elect: see all things ready To entertain 'em: and on my displeasure No more words of _Lisander_. _Clar._ She endures to hear him nam'd by no tongue but her own: How e're she carries it, I know she loves him. [_Exit._ _Cal._ Hard nature: hard condition of poor women! That where we are most su'd to, we must flye most. The trees grow up, and mix together freely, The Oak's not envious of the sailing Cedar, The lustie Vine not jealous of the Ivie Because she clips the Elm; the flowers shoot up, And wantonly kiss one another hourly, This blossome glorying in the others beauty, And yet they smell as sweet, and look as lovely: But we are ty'd to grow alone. O honour, Thou hard Law to our lives, chain to our freedoms He that invented thee had many curses; How is my soul divided! O _Cleander_, My best deserving husband! O _Lisander_, The truest lover that e're sacrific'd To _Cupid_ against _Hymen_! O mine honour; A Tyrant, yet to be obey'd! and 'tis But justice we should thy strict Laws endure, Since our obedience to thee keeps us pure. [_Exit._ _Enter_ Cle[a]nder, Lidian, _and_ Clarange. _Clean._ How insupportable the difference Of dear friends is, the sorrow that I feel For my _Lisanders_ absence, one that stamps A reverend print on friendship, does assure me. You are rivals for a Lady, a fair Lady, And in the acquisition of her favours, Hazard the cutting of that Gordian knot From your first childhood to this present hour, By all the tyes of love and amity fasten'd. I am blest in a wife (Heaven make me thankfull) Inferiour to none (sans pride I speak it) Yet if I were a free-man, and could purchase At any rate the certainty to enjoy _Lisanders_ conversation while I liv'd, Forgive me my _Calista_, and the Sex, I never would seek change. _Lid._ My Lord and Brother, I dare not blame your choice, _Lisanders_ worth Being a Mistris to be ever courted; Nor shall our equal suit to fair _Olinda_ Weaken, but adde strength to our true affection, With zeal so long continued.