_Gal_. ‘Tis more than I can do. _Enter_ Erminia _weeping_. --Thy Eyes, _Erminia_, do declare thy Heart [Gal. _meets her, embraces her, and weeps_. Has nothing but Despairs and Death t’impart, And I alas, no Comfort can apply, But I as well as you can weep and die. _Er_. I’ll not reproach my Fortune, since in you Grief does the noblest of your Sex subdue; When your great Soul a sorrow can admit, I ought to suffer from the sense of it; Your cause of grief too much like mine appears, Not to oblige my Eyes to double tears; And had my heart no sentiments at home, My part in yours had doubtless fill’d the room. But mine will no addition more receive, Fate has bestow’d the worst she had to give; Your mighty Soul can all its rage oppose, Whilst mine must perish by more feeble blows. _Gal_. Indeed I dare not say my cause of grief Does yours exceed, since both are past relief. But if your Fates unequal do appear, _Erminia_, ‘tis my heart that odds must bear. _Er_. Madam, ‘tis just I should to you resign, But here you challenge what is only mine: My Fate so cruel is, it will not give Leave to _Philander_ (if I die) to live: Might I but suffer all, ‘twere some content, But who can live and see this languishment? You, Madam, do alone your Sorrows bear, Which would be less, did but _Alcippus_ share; As Lovers we agree, I’ll not deny, But thou art lov’d again, so am not I. _Am_. Madam, that grief the better is sustain’d, That’s for a loss that never yet was gain’d; You only lose a man that does not know How great the honour is which you bestow; Who dares not hope you love, or if he did, Your Greatness would his just return forbid; His humble thoughts durst ne’er to you aspire, At most he would presume but to admire; Or if it chanc’d he durst more daring prove, You still must languish and conceal your Love. _Gal_. This which you argue lessens not my Pain, My Grief’s the same were I belov’d again. The King my Father would his promise keep, And thou must him enjoy for whom I weep. _Er_. Ah, would I could that fatal gift deny; Without him you; and with him, I must die; My Soul your royal Brother does adore, And I, all Passion, but from him, abhor; But if I must th’unsuit _Alcippus_ wed, I vow he ne’er shall come into my Bed. _Gal_. That’s bravely sworn, and now I love thee more Than e’er I was oblig’d to do before, --But yet, _Erminia_, guard thee from his Eyes, Where so much love, and so much Beauty lies; Those charms may conquer thee, which made me bow, And make thee love as well as break this Vow. _Er_. Madam, it is unkind, though but to fear Ought but _Philander_ can inhabit here. [_Lays her hand on her heart_.