_Bel._ Is that justice? Shall one that is to suffer for a Rape Be by a Rape defended? Look upon The publick enemy of chastity, This lustful Satyr, whose enrag'd desires The ruine of one wretched Virgins honor Would not suffice; and shall the wrack of two Be his protection? May be I was ravish'd For his lust only, thou for his defence; O fine evasion! shall with such a slight Your Justice be deluded? your Laws cheated? And he that for one fact deserv'd to die, For sinning often, find impunity? But that I know thee I would swear thou wert A false Impostor, and suborn'd to this; And it may be thou art _Merione_: For hadst thou suffer'd truly what I have done, Thou wouldst like me complain, and call for vengeance, And our wrongs being equal, I alone Should not desire revenge: But be it so, If thou prevail, even he will punish it, And foolish mercy shew'd to him undo thee, Consider, fool, before it be too late, What joys thou canst expect from such a Husband, To whom thy first, and what's more, forc'd embraces, Which men say heighten pleasure, were distastful. _Mer._ 'Twas in respect, that then they were unlawful, Unbless'd by _Hymen_, and left stings behind them, Which from the marriage-bed are ever banish'd. Let this Court be then the image of _Joves_ throne, Upon which grace and mercy still attend, To intercede between him and his Justice; And since the Law allows as much to me As she can challenge, let the milder sentence, Which best becomes a Mother, and a Queen Now overcome; nor let your wisdom suffer In doing right to her, I in my wrong Indure a second Ravishment. _Bel._ You can free him Only from that which does concern your self, Not from the punishment that's due to me: Your injuries you may forgive, not mine; I plead mine own just wreak, which will right both, Where that which you desire robs me of justice; 'Tis that which I appeal to. _Mer._ Bloody Woman, Dost thou desire his punishment? Let him live then; For any man to marry where he likes not Is still a lingring torment. _Bel._ For one Rape One death's sufficient, that way cannot catch me. _Mer._ To you I fly then, to your mercy Madam, Exempting not your Justice, be but equal; And since in no regard I come behind her, Let me not so be undervalu'd in Your Highness favor, that the world take notice You so preferr'd her, that in her behalf You kill'd that Son, you would not save for me; Mercy, O mercy Madam. _Bel._ Great Queen, justice. _Age._ With what a Masculine constancy the grave Lady hath heard them both! _Leo._ Yet how unmov'd she sits In that which most concerns her! _Con._ Now she rises; And having well weigh'd both their arguments, Resolves to speak.