_Acast._ Let me embrace you both. Now, by the souls Of my brave ancestors, I'm truly happy; For this be ever blest my marriage-day, Blest be your mother's memory that bore you, And doubly blest be that auspicious hour That gave ye birth! Yes, my aspiring boys, Ye shall have business, when your master wants you: You cannot serve a nobler: I have served him; In this old body yet the marks remain Of many wounds. I've with this tongue proclaimed His right, even in the face of rank rebellion; And when a foul-mouthed traitor once profaned His sacred name, with my good sabre drawn, Even at the head of all his giddy rout, I rushed, and clove the rebel to the chine. _Enter_ Servant. _Ser._ My lord, the expected guests are just arrived. _Acast._ Go you, and give them welcome and reception. [_Exeunt_ CASTALIO, POLYDORE, SERINA, FLORELLA, _and_ Servant. _Cham._ My lord, I stand in need of your assistance In something that concerns my peace and honour. _Acast._ Spoke like the son of that brave man I loved; So freely, friendly we conversed together. Whate'er it be, with confidence impart it; Thou shalt command my fortune and my sword. _Cham._ I dare not doubt your friendship nor your justice. Your bounty shown to what I hold most dear, My orphan sister, must not be forgotten. _Acast._ Pr'ythee, no more of that: it grates my nature. _Cham._ When our dear parents died, they died together, One fate surprised them, and one grave received them: My father with his dying breath bequeathed Her to my love: my mother, as she lay Languishing by him, called me to her side, Took me in her fainting arms, wept, and embraced me; Then pressed me close, and as she observed my tears, Kissed them away: said she, "Chamont, my son, By this, and all the love I ever showed thee, Be careful of Monimia; watch her youth; Let not her wants betray her to dishonour; Perhaps kind Heaven may raise some friend": then sighed, Kissed me again, so blessed us, and expired. Pardon my grief. _Acast._ It speaks an honest nature. _Cham._ The friend Heaven raised was you; you took her up, An infant, to the desert world exposed, And proved another parent. _Acast._ I've not wronged her! _Cham._ Far be it from my fears. _Acast._ Then why this argument? _Cham._ My lord, my nature's jealous, and you'll bear it. _Acast._ Go on. _Cham._ Great spirits bear misfortunes hardly: Good offices claim gratitude; and pride, Where power is wanting, will usurp a little, And make us, rather than be thought behind-hand, Pay over-price. _Acast._ I cannot guess your drift: Distrust you me?