ll Friends the nearest to my
Heart_,--'Tis such an Imposition that Hell it self 'till now cou'd never
parallel; And yet this Devil of a Woman has power over me beyond all
Virtue. I am distracted in my Thoughts, and know not what to do; yet
something must be done without delay, or else I lose her quite: And yet
I fear 'tis most Impossible, for Friendship left the World, when Justice
fled, and all who now do wear that Name are the worst of Hypocrites,

_Like Counterfeited Coin on which is seen,
The formal Stamp; but sordid Dross within._

_Enter_ Bonivile.

_Bon._ My Friend alone and Thoughtful? say for what?
That you alone appear with Discontent,
When all my Friends Congratulate my Bliss?
Is it because (which I durst ne're suspect)
Your Love to me was not intirely true?
Or else perhaps, this Crown of Happiness
You think Misplac'd, and Envy it not yours.

_Fri._ Forbear such cruel Words--
How can you entertain a Thought so Vile
Of him whom so long you have call'd your Friend?
May all the Blesings Heaven can bestow
On us poor Mortals in this World below,
Crown all your Days, and may you nothing see
But flowing Tides of sweet Felicity;
But I, alas!--

_Bon._ Alas! What means my _Friendly_?
Much hidden Grief that wretched Word portends,
Which thus disturbs the Quiet of my Friend?
But come disclose it to me,
And since the Burthen is too much for one,
I'll bear a part to ease thy troubled Breast.

_Fri._ Oh _Bonvile_!
Seek not to force this Fatal secret from me--

_Bon._ I must know it, by my best hopes I must.

_Fri._ Oh no! I cannot, Nay I dare not--

_Bon._ How dare not trust a secret to a Friend?

_Fri._ Oh _Bonville_, _Bonville_! Call me not your Friend,
That Name strikes horrour to my very Soul.

_Bon._ Ha! Art thou then a Stranger to that Name?

_Fri._ Indeed I am, and must be so for ever now.

_Bon._ Yet hear me _Friendly_; Deny me if thou can'st,
Fixt as a Rock, I vow I'll here remain,
Until I have forc'd this Dire secret from thee.

_Fri._ Pardon me Sir, I hope you soon will hear it,
But I----

[_Offers to go._]

_Bon._ Yet stay, and since intreaty can't prevail,
By all the Friendship which you once profess'd,
By all that's Holy, both in Heaven and Earth,
I now Conjure thee to impart it to me,
Or by this Life----