_Nu._ They thought on that too, and search'd every where. _La._ He may be close for treason, perhaps executed. _Nu._ Nay, they did look among the quarters too, And mustered all the bridge-house for his night-cap. _Enter Servant._ _Ser._ Madam, here is the gentleman agen. _La._ What Gentleman? _Ser._ He that lov'd my young Mistriss. _La._ Alas, 'tis _Hartlove_, 'twill but feed his melancholy. To let him see _Maria_, since we dare not Yet tell the world she lives; and certainly, Did not the violence of his passion blind him, He would see past her borrowed tongue and habit. _Nu._ Please you entertain him awhile, Madam, I'll cast about for something with your daughter. _La._ Do what thou wot, pray Mr. _Hartlove_ enter. [_Exit Ser. and Nur. severally._ _Enter_ Hartlove. _Ha._ Madam, I come to ask your gentle pardon. _La._ Pardon, for what? you ne'r offended me. _Ha._ Yes, if ye be the mother of _Maria_. _La._ I was her mother, but that word is cancell'd, And buried with her in that very minute Her soul fled from her; we lost both our names Of mother and of daughter. _Ha._ Alas, Madam, If your relation did consist but in Those naked terms, I had a title nearer, Since love unites more than the tie of blood; No matter for the empty voice of mother; Your nature still is left, which in her absence Must love _Maria_, and not see her ashes And memory polluted. _La._ You amaze me, by whom? _Ha._ By me, I am the vile profaner. _La._ Why do you speak thus indiscreetly, Sir? You ever honour'd her. _Ha._ I did [a]live, But since she died, I ha been a villain to her. _La._ I do beseech you say not so; all this Is but to make me know how much I sinn'd In forcing her to marry. _Ha._ Do not mock me, I charge you by the Virgin you have wept for; For I have done an impious act against her, A deed able to fright her from her sleep, And through her marble, ought to be reveng'd; A wickedness, that if I should be silent, You as a witness must accuse me for't. _La._ Was I a witness? _Ha._ Yes, you knew I lov'd _Maria_ once; or grant, you did but think so, By what I ha profest, or she has told you, Was't not a fault unpardonable in me, When I should drop my tears upon her grave, Yes, and proof sufficient. _La._ To what? _Ha._ That I, forgetful of my fame and vows To fair _Maria_, e'r the worm could pierce Her tender shroud, had chang'd her for another; Did you not blush to see me turn a rebel? So soon to court a shadow, a strange thing, Without a name? Did you not curse my levity, Or think upon her death with the less sorrow That she had scap'd a punishment more killing, Oh how I shame to think on't.