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Show A ltA The R E L A P S E ; or, be which W o m e n cannot grant without a- Bkifh, and vet which Men may take without offence. [Taking her Hand] Your Hand, I fancy, may be of the number; O pardon me, if I commit a Rape upon it, [faffing it eagerly] and thus devour it with m y Kilies. ' *Aman. O Heavens! let m e go. Wor. Never, whilft I have Strength to hold you here. f Forcing her to fit dozvn on a Couch.'] M y Life, my Soul, m y Goddefs O forgive m e ! Aman. O whither a m I going? Help, Heaven, or I a m loft. Wor. Stand neuter, Gods, this once, I do invoke you. Aman. Then, lave me, Virtue, and the Glory's thine. Wor. Nay, never ft rive. Aman. I will; and conquer too. M y Forces rally bravely to m y Aid, [breaking from him] and thus i oain the Day. Wor. Then mine as bravely double their Attack; " foiling her again.] And thus 1 wreft it from you. Nay, ftruasle not: for all's in vain : Or Death or Victory; 1 a m determin d. A m a n . And fo a m I, [rufhing from him.'] Now keep your diftance, or w e part for ever. Wor. [offering again.] For Heaven's fake • • » A m a n . [going.] Nay then Farewell. Wor. [kneeling, and holding by her Clothes.] Oftay, and fee the Magick Force of Love : Behold this raging Lion at your Feet, ftruck dead with Fear, and tame as Charms can make him. What muft I do to be forgiven by you ? A m a n . Repent, and never more offend. Wor. Repentance for paft Crimes, is juft andeafyi but Sin no more's a Task too hard for Mortals. Amand. Yet thofe w h o hope for Heaven, muftuie their beft endeavours to perform it. Wor. Endeavours w e may ufe, but Flefh and Blood are got in t'other Scale 5 and they are pond M Art, I iall part. J Virtue in Danger. IO< 'Amand. Whate'er thev ar» .1,. • Refolution fufficient for their BaUancT Tl * i**^' f confeft, is ufually fo carelefs of " c S ' f' J «° a„afo indulgent to Defi* l£jgfa\*fc wild Hand of Nature, who like a Phaeun, drive he fay Chariot, and fets the World on flame. Yet ftm the Sovereignty » ,n the Mind, whene'er it pleafe o exert us Force. Perhaps you may not think it worth your while to take fuch mighty pains for m y Efteem but that I leave to you. You fee the Price 1 fet upon m y Heart Perhaps'tis dear: But fpite of all vo'ur You'll find on cheaper Terms, w e ne;er lb ,,,, . " , [Exit Amanda. Worthy f0lHS, Sure there's Divinity about her; and Ih'as difpens'd fome portion on t to me. For what but n o w was the arid Flame of Love or (to difleft that fpecious Term) the vile, the grofs Defires of Flefih and Blood is in a moment turn d to Adoration. The coaifer Appetite of Natures gone, and 'tts, methinks, the Food of Angels requtre; how long this Influence may laft, Heaven, knows. But in thu moment of m y Purity, I cou'd on er own terms accept her Heart, Yes, lovely W o m an 1 can accept it. For n o w 'tis doubly worth m y C ™ lour Charms are much encreas'd, L e e thus ador,>d.' When TrUth s extorted from us, then w e o w n the Robe ol Virtue is a graceful Habit. BCMe Cou'd W o m e n bur our fecret Counfels fcan Cou d they but reach the deep Referves ol M a n, They d wear it on, that that of Love m w h t laft • %*22Z *T ?ff °"e'we foon the&« «* inen Sympathy is fuch- . The Fate of one, the other fcarce can fly; ihey hve together, and together die. rExh M-r D Enter Mifs and Nui'k- *"/'. As fure, ashes your lawful Husbanl. 5 Mifs. |