.

_Hect._ [_walking off._]
I thank the gods, for calling to my mind
My promise, that no words of thine should urge me
Beyond the bounds of reason: But in thee
'Twas brutal baseness, so forewarned, to fall
Beneath the name of man; to spurn my kindness;
And when I offered thee (thou know'st how loth!)
The wholesome bitter cup of friendly counsel,
To dash it in my face. Farewell, farewell,
Ungrateful as thou art: hereafter use
The name of brother; but of friend no more. [_Going out._

_Troil._ Wilt thou not break yet, heart?--stay, brother, stay;
I promised too, but I have broke my vow,
And you keep yours too well.

_Hect._ What would'st thou more?
Take heed, young man, how you too far provoke me!
For heaven can witness, 'tis with much constraint
That I preserve my faith.

_Troil._ Else you would kill me?

_Hect._ By all the gods I would.

_Troil._ I'm satisfied.
You have condemned me, and I'll do't myself.
What's life to him, who has no use of life?
A barren purchase, held upon hard terms!
For I have lost (oh, what have I not lost!)
The fairest, dearest, kindest, of her sex;
And lost her even by him, by him, ye gods!
Who only could, and only should protect me!
And if I had a joy beyond that love,
A friend, have lost him too!

_Hect._ Speak that again,--
For I could hear it ever,--saidst thou not,
That if thou hadst a joy beyond that love,
It was a friend? O, saidst thou not, a friend!
That doubting _if_ was kind: then thou'rt divided;
And I have still some part.

_Troil._ If still you have,
You do not care to have it.

_Hect._ How, not care!

_Troil._ No, brother, care not.

_Hect._ Am I but thy brother?

_Troil._ You told me, I must call you friend no more.

_Hect._ How far my words were distant from my heart!
Know, when I told thee so, I loved thee most.
Alas! it is the use of human frailty,
To fly to worst extremities with those,
To whom we are most kind.

_Troil._ Is't possible!
Then you are still my friend.

_Hect._ Heaven knows I am!

_Troil._ And can forgive the sallies of my passion?
For I have been to blame, oh! much to blame;
Have said such words, nay, done such actions too,
(Base as I am!) that my awed conscious soul
Sinks in my breast, nor dare I lift an eye
On him I have offended.

_Hect._ Peace be to thee,
And calmness ever there. I blame thee not:
I know thou lov'st; and what can love not do!
I cast the wild disorderly account,
Of all thy words and deed