ISILLIA: Ah Madam, Alcippus. ERMINIA: A...

ISILLIA: Ah Madam, Alcippus.

ERMINIA: Alcippus where?

ISILLIA: I left him in a quarrell with Alcander, And hear him coming up.

ERMINIA: For Heaven's sake, Sir, submit to be conceal'd.

PHILLANDER: Not for the world, Erminia. My innocence shall be my guard and thine.

ERMINIA: Upon my knees I beg you let be conceal'd.

[a noise.

He comes, Phillander, for my safety go.

PHILLANDER: I never did obey with more regret.

He hides himself behind the bed, and in hast leaves his Sword and hat on the Table, Alcippus comes in.

ALCIPPUS: How now Erminia? How comes it you are up so late?

ERMINIA: I found my self not much inclin'd to sleep; I hope 'tis no offence Why do you look so wildly round about you?

ALCIPPUS: Methinks Erminia you are much confus'd.

ERMINIA: Alass you cannot blame me; Isillia tells me you were much inrag'd Against a Lover she was entertaining.

ALCIPPUS: A Lover—was that a time for Courtship? Such actions Madam will reflect on you.

Isillia goes to take the hat and Sword and slide into her lap, which he sees, calls to her.

—What have you there Isillia? Come back and let me see what 'tis.

[he takes them from her.

—ha—a Sword and Hat—Erminia, whose be these?

ERMINIA: Why do you ask—

ALCIPPUS: To be inform'd, is that so great a wonder?

ERMINIA: They be my Fathers Sir—. Was that well said Erminia—speak again.

ERMINIA: What is't you would know?

ALCIPPUS: The truth Erminia; 'twould become you best. Do you think I take these things to be your fathers? No treacherous woman, I have seen this sword

[draws the Sword.

Worn by a man more vigorous then thy Father, It had not else been here. —Where have you hid this mighty man of vallor? Have you exhausted so his stock of courage He has not any left t'appear with all:

PHILLANDER: Yes, base Alcippus, I have still that courage, Th'effects of which thou hast beheld with wonder, And now being fortified by innocence, Thou't find sufficient to chastise thy boldness, Restore my Sword and prove the truth of this.

ALCIPPUS: I've hardly so much calmness left to answer thee, And tell thee Prince thou art deceav'd in me. —I know 'tis just I should restore thy Sword, But thou hast show'd the basest of thy play, And I'le return th'uncivil treachery, You merit death for this base injury. But you're my Prince, and that I own you so, Is all remains in me of sence or justice; The rest is rage, which if thou get'st not hence Will eat up that small morsell too of reason, And leave me nothing to preserve thy life with.

PHILLANDER: Gods, am I tame, and hear the Traytor brave me,

[offers to run into him.

I have resentment left though nothing else.

ALCIPPUS: Stand off, by all that's good I'le kill thee else.

[Erminia puts herself between them

ERMINIA: Ah, hold Sir, hold, the Prince has no defence, And you are more then arm'd, What honour is't to let him Murrher you? —Nor would your fame be lessen'd by retreat.

PHILLANDER: Alass I dare not leave thee here with him.

ERMINIA: Trust me Sir, I can make him calm again.

ALCIPPUS: She counsels well, and I advise you take it.

PHILLANDER: I will, but not for fear of thee or death, But from th' assurance that her power's sufficient To allay this unbecoming fury in thee, And bring thee to repentance.

He gives him his Sword; Phillander goes out, Alcippus locks the door after him.

ERMINIA: Alcippus, what do you mean?

ALCIPPUS: To know where 'twas you learn'd this impudence? Which you'r too cunning in, Not to have been a stale practitioner.

ERMINIA: Alass, what will you do?

ALCIPPUS: Preserve thy soul if thou hast any sense Of future joys, after this damned action.

ERMINIA: Ah, what have I done?

ALCIPPUS: That which if I should let thee live, Erminia, Would never suffer thee to look abroad again. —Thou'st made thy self and me— —Oh, I dare not name the Monsters— But I'le destroy them whilst the Gods look down, And smile upon my justice.

He strangles her with a Garter, which he snatches from his Leg, or smothers her with a Pillow.

ERMINIA: Hold, hold, and hear my vows of innocence.

ALCIPPUS: Let me be damn'd as thou art if I do;

[throws her on a bed, he sits down in a Chair.

—So now my heart, I have redeem'd thee nobly, Sit down and pause a while— —But why so still and tame, is one poor Murther Enough to satisfie thy storm of passion, If it were just; it ought not here to end —If not—I've done too much—

Aphra Behn, The Forc’d Marriage, or the Jealous Bridegroom, 1671.