that were lost,
'Twere yet some ease,
That none but thou wert witness to't.

_Alb._ Well, if it must be done, I'ad rather do't,
Than you should be expos'd to th' scorn of others.

_Ant._ Spoke like my noble Friend;
Come dine with her to day, for I must leave you,
And give you all the opportunity
A real Lover wishes with a Mistress.

_Ism._ So we have heard enough.

[Ex. _Clar._ and _Ism._

_Ant._ Oh, were _Clarina_ chaste, as on my Soul
I cannot doubt, more than that I believe
All Womankind may be seduc'd from Virtue;
I were the Man of all the World most bless'd
In such a Wife, and such a Friend as thou.

_Alb._ But what if I prevail, _Antonio_?

_Ant._ Then I'll renounce my faith in Womankind,
And place my satisfaction in thy Amity.
--But see, she comes, I'll leave you to your task.

Enter _Ismena_ and _Isabella_.

_Ism._ Antonio not yet gone--
This must secure me. [Pulls down her Veil.

_Ant._ _Clarina_, why thus clouded?

_Isab._ I see he has most happily mistaken.

_Ism._ I was going, Sir, to visit _Laura_--

_Ant._ You must not go, I've business to the Duke,
And you must entertain my Friend till my return;
It is a freedom not usual here amongst Ladies,
But I will have it so;
Whom I esteem, I'll have you do so too.

_Ism._ Sir, I am all obedience.
[Exit _Antonio_, she pulls off her Veil; _Alberto_ salutes her
with seeming lowness.

_Alb._ Oh, how my Soul's divided
Between my Adoration and my Amity! [Aside.
Friendship, thou sacred band, hold fast thy Interest;
For yonder Beauty has a subtle power,
And can undo that knot, which other Arts
Could ne'er invent a way for.

Enter _Antonio_, and listens at the Door.

_Ant._ I'll see a little how he behaves himself. [Aside.

_Alb._ But she's _Antonio's_ Wife; my Friend _Antonio_. [Aside.
A Youth that made an Interest in my Soul,
When I had Language scarce to express my sense of it.

_Ant._ Death! he speaks not to her. [Aside.

_Alb._ So grew we up to Man, and still more fixt;
And shall a gaudy Beauty,
A thing which t'other day I never saw,
Deprive my Heart of that kind Heat,
And place a new and unknown Fire within? [Aside.
_Clarina_, 'tis unjust.

_Ism._ Sir, did you speak to me?

_Alb._ I have betray'd my self-- [Aside.
Madam, I was saying how unjust it was
_Antonio_ should leave me alone with a