_Ant._ By Heaven, not I; this is _Clarina_, Sir.
_Alb._ That thy Wife _Clarina!_
A Beauty which till now I never saw.
_Ant._ Sure thou art mad, didst thou not give her me but now,
And hast not entertain’d her all this night?
_Alb._ Her Habit and her Vizard did deceive me;
I took her for this lady,--Oh bless’d Mistake!
_Ism._ I see you’re in the dark, but I’ll unfold the Riddle,
--Sir, in the Passage from the Monastery,
Attended only by my Confessor,
A Gentleman, a Passenger, in the same Boat,
Address’d himself to me;
And made a many little Courtships to me:
I being veil’d, he knew not who receiv’d them,
Nor what Confusion they begot in me.
At the first sight, I grew to great esteems of him,
But when I heard him speak--
I’m not asham’d to say he was my Conqueror.
_Alb._ Oh, Madam, was it you?
Who by your Conversation in that Voyage,
Gave me Disquiets,
Which nothing but your Eyes could reconcile again?
_Ism._ ‘Twas I whom you deceiv’d with some such Language.
--After my coming home I grew more melancholy,
And by my silence did increase my Pain;
And soon _Clarina_ found I was a Lover,
Which I confess’d at last, and nam’d the Object.
She told me of your Friendship with _Antonio_,
And gave me hopes that I again should see you:
--But _Isabella_ over-heard the Plot,
Which, Sir, _Antonio_ did contrive with you,
To make a feigned Courtship to _Clarina_,
And told us all the story.
_Alb._ Oh, how I’m ravish’d with my Happiness!
_Ism._ _Clarina_, Sir, at first was much inrag’d,
And vow’d she would revenge her on _Antonio_;
But I besought her to be pleas’d again,
And said I would contrive a Counter-Plot,
Should satisfy her Honour and Revenge.
Thus, Sir, I got a Garment like to hers;
And to be courted, though but in jest, by you,
I run all hazards of my Brother’s Anger,
And your opinion of my Lightness too.
_Clar._ ‘Twas a Temptation, Sir, I would not venture on,
Lest from the reasons of a just Revenge,
And so much Beauty as _Alberto_ own’d,
My Virtue should not well secure your Interest.
_Ant._ But why, _Ismena_, was that killing Plot,
When I was hid behind the Arras? for now I confess all.
_Ism._ To make _Alberto_ confident of my Love,
And try his Friendship to the utmost point.
--_Alberto_ too I found had some reserves,
Which I believ’d his Amity to you.
_Alb._ Yes, Madam, whilst I took you for his Wife,
I thought it crime enough but to adore you;
But now I may with honour own my Passion:
I will, _Ismena_, confidently assure you,
That I will die, unless you pity me.
_Ism._ She that durst tell you, Sir, how much she lov’d,
When you believ’d it was a Sin to do so,
Will now make good that Promise with _Antonio’s_ leave.
_Ant._ With perfect Joy, _Ismena_, I resign thee,
[_Ant._ gives him _Ism._
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