o._ Ask not of her, I pray; I cannot answer.

_Gycia._ Nay, by thy love I ask it. Answer me.

_Theo._ Have me excused, I pray.

_Gycia._ Then, I am answered.
My husband, she affirms, betrayed her honour
In Bosphorus, and now denies the crime.
Thou knowest it true.

_Theo._ Alas! I cannot doubt it.
I have known all for years.

_Gycia._ Ye saints of heaven!
Is there no shame or purity in men,
Nor room for trust in them? I am a wife
Who thought she did possess her husband wholly,
Virgin with virgin. I have thought I knew
His inmost heart, and found it innocent;
And yet while thus I held him, while I lay
Upon his bosom, all these happy hours
The venom of a shameful secret lurked
Within his breast. Oh, monster of deceit,
Thou never lovedst as I! That I should give
The untouched treasure of my virgin heart
For some foul embers of a burnt-out love,
And lavish on the waste a wanton left
My heart, my soul, my life! Oh, it is cruel!
I will never see him more, nor hear his voice,
But die unloved and friendless.

[_Weeps._

_Theo. (kneeling at her feet)._ Dearest Gycia,
Thou canst not want a brother, friend, and lover
While I am living. Oh, my love, my dear,
Whom I have loved from childhood, put away
This hateful marriage, free thee from the bonds
Of this polluted wedlock, and make happy
One who will love thee always!

_Enter_ LYSIMACHUS _unperceived._

_Gycia._ Rise, Theodorus.
I have no love to give. I am a wife.
Such words dishonour me.

_Theo._ Forgive me, Gycia.
I know how pure thy soul, and would not have thee
Aught other than thou art.

_Gycia._ I do forgive thee.
'Twas love confused thy reason; but be brave.
Set a guard on thy acts, thy words, thy thoughts.
'Tis an unhappy world!

[THEODORUS _kisses her hand and exit._

_Lys._ Most noble lady,
Forgive me if at an unfitting time,
Amid the soft devoirs of gallantry,
I thus intrude unwilling; but I seek
The Prince Asander.

_Gycia._ I have nought to hide
My husband might not know.

_Lys._ Then, thou art, doubtless,
His wife, the Lady Gycia. Good my lady,
With such a presence to become a crown,
We would you were at Bosphorus.

_Gycia._ 'Tis cle