_Char._ Have you ended All you can charge me with? _Coz._ Nor stopt you there, But they must unattended walk into The silent groves, and hear the amorous birds Warbling their wanton notes; here, a sure shade Of barren sicamores, which the all-seeing sun Could not pierce through; near that, an arbour hung With spreading eglantine; there, a bubbling spring Watering a bank of hyacinths and lilies; With all allurements that could move to love. And could this, Charomonte, (should I grant They had been equals both in birth and fortune,) Become your gravity? nay, 'tis clear as air, That your ambitious hopes to match your daughter Into our family, gave connivance to it: And this, though not in act, in the intent I call high treason. _Char._ Hear my just defence, sir; And, though you are my prince, it will not take from Your greatness, to acknowledge with a blush, In this my accusation you have been More sway'd by spleen, and jealous suppositions, Than certain grounds of reason. You had a father, (Blest be his memory!) that made frequent proofs Of my loyalty and faith, and, would I boast The dangers I have broke through in his service, I could say more. Nay, you yourself, dread sir, Whenever I was put unto the test, Found me true gold, and not adulterate metal; And am I doubted now? _Coz._ This is from the purpose. _Char._ I will come to it, sir: Your grace well knew, Before the prince's happy presence made My poor house rich, the chiefest blessing which I gloried in, though now it prove a curse, Was an only daughter. Nor did you command me, As a security to your future fears, To cast her off: which had you done, howe'er She was the light of my eyes, and comfort of My feeble age, so far I prized my duty Above affection, she now had been A stranger to my care. But she is fair! Is that her fault, or mine? Did ever father Hold beauty in his issue for a blemish? You may, if you think fit, before my face, In recompense of all my watchings for you, With burning corrosives transform her to An ugly leper. This I will rather suffer, sir, Than live suspected by you. _Coz._ Let not passion Carry you beyond your reason. _Char._ I am calm, sir; Yet you must give me leave to grieve I find My actions misinterpreted. Alas! sir, Was Lidia's desire to serve the prince Call'd an offence? or did she practise to Seduce his youth, because with her best zeal And fervour she endeavour'd to attend him? 'Tis a hard construction. Though she be my daughter, I may thus far speak her: from her infancy She was ever civil, her behaviour nearer Simplicity than craft; and malice dares not Affirm, in one loose gesture, or light language, She gave a sign she was in thought unchaste. I'll fetch her to you, sir; and but look on her With equal eyes, you must in justice grant That your suspicion wrongs her.