_Alph._ Two lines in reading had escaped my sight; Shall I go back, and do the poet right? _Vict._ Already we have read too far, I fear; But read no more than modesty may bear. ALPHONSO READING. _For I loved too, and, knowing not my wound, A secret pleasure in thy kisses found._ [He offers to kiss her, and she turns her head away. May we not represent the kiss we read? _Vict._ Alphonso, no:--brother, I should have said! ALPHONSO READING AGAIN. _When half denying, more than half content, Embraces warmed me to a full consent; Then, with tumultuous joys my heart did beat, And guilt, that made them anxious, made them great._ [She snatches the Book, and throws it down, then rises and walks; he rises also. _Vict._ Incendiary book, polluted flame, Dare not to tempt the chaste Victoria's fame! I love, perhaps, more than a sister should; And nature prompts, but heaven restrains my blood. Heaven was unkind, to set so strict a bound. And love would struggle to forbidden ground. Oh let us gain a Parthian victory! Our only way to conquer, is to fly. _Alph._ No more, Victoria; though my love aspires More high than yours, and fiercer are my fires, I cannot bear your looks; new flames arise From every glance, and kindle from your eyes. Pure are the beams which from those suns you dart; But gather blackness from my sooty heart. Then let us each with hasty steps remove; Nor spread contagion, where we meant but love. _Vict._ Hear, heaven and earth, and witness to my vows; And Love, thou greatest power that nature knows! This heart, Alphonso, shall be firmly thine; This hand shall never with another join: Or if, by force, my father makes me wed, Then Death shall be the bridegroom of my bed. Now let us both our shares of sorrow take; And both be wretched for each other's sake. _Alph._ By those relentless powers that rule the skies, And by a greater power, Victoria's eyes, No love but yours shall touch Alphonso's heart; Nor time, nor death, my vowed affections part: Nor shall my hated rival live to see That hour which envious fate denies to me. Now seal we both our vows with one dear kiss. _Vict._ No; 'tis a hot, and an incestuous bliss! Let both be satisfied with what we swore; I dare not give it, lest I give you more. [_Exit_ VICTORIA, _looking back on him, and he gazing on her_.