_Amar._ Go expiate thy guilt in holy dreams. [_Exit_ DAM. But thou, sweet saint, henceforth disturb no more [_To_ S. CATH. With dreams not thine, thy thoughts to heaven restore. [_The Angel ascends, and the scene shuts._ _Nig._ Some holy being does invade this place, And from their duty does my spirits chase. I dare no longer near it make abode: No charms prevail against the Christians' God. [_Exit._ _Plac._ How doubtfully these spectres fate foretell! In double sense, and twilight truth they dwell: Like fawning courtiers for success they wait, And then come smiling, and declare for fate. _Enter_ MAXIMIN _and_ PORPHYRIUS, _attended by_ VALERIUS _and guards_. But see, the tyrant and my rival come: I, like the fiends, will flatter in his doom: None but a fool distasteful truth will tell, So it be new and please, 'tis full as well. [PLAC. _whispers with the Emperor, who seems pleased._ _Max._ You charm me with your news, which I'll reward; By hopes we are for coming joys prepared: Possess her love, or from that love be free;-- Heaven speaks me fair: If she as kind can prove, I shall possess, but never quit my love. Go, tell me when she wakes. [_Exit_ PLAC. [PORPHYRIUS _seems to beg something of him._ --Porphyrius, no; She has refused, and I will keep my vow. _Por._ For your own sake your cruel vow defer; The time's unsafe, your enemies are near, And to displease your men when they should fight-- _Max._ My looks alone my enemies will fright; And o'er my men I'll set my careful spies, To watch rebellion in their very eyes. No more, I cannot bear the least reply. _Por._ Yet, tyrant, thou shalt perish ere she die. [_Aside._ _Enter_ VALERIA. Valeria here! how fortune treats me still With various harms, magnificently ill! _Max._ Valeria, I was sending to your tent, [_To_ VAL. But my commands your presence does prevent. This is the hour, wherein the priest shall join Your holy loves, and make Porphyrius mine. _Val._ Now hold, my heart! and Venus I implore, Be judge if she he loves deserves him more. [_Aside._ _Por._ Past hope! and all in vain I would preserve My life, not for myself, but her I serve. [_Aside._ _Val._ I come, great sir, your justice to demand. [_To the Emperor._ _Max._ You cannot doubt it from a father's hand.