ACT III. SCENE I. MARCUS and PORTIUS. MARCUS. HANKS to my stars, I have not rang'd about T.The wilds of life, ere I could find a friend; Nature first pointed out my Portius to me, Marcus, the friendships of the world are oft And fuch a friendship ends not but with life. MARCU S. Portius, thou know'ft my foul in all its weakness; Then pr'ythee spare me on its tender fide, Indulge me but in love, my other paffions Shall rise and fall by virtue's nicest rules. PORTIU S. When love 's well-tim'd, 'tis not a fault to love. The strong, the brave, the virtuous, and the wife, Sink in the foft captivity together. I would not urge thee to dismiss thy passion, (I know 'twere vain) but to fuppress its force, MARCUS. MARCUS. Alas. thou talk'ft like one who never felt PORTIU S. What can thy Portius do to give thee help? Portius, thou oft enjoy'ft the fair-one's presence: PORTIU S. Marcus, I beg thee, give me not an office That fuits with me fo ill. Thou know'ft my temper MARCUS. Wilt thou behold me finking in my woes?. And wilt thou not reach out a friendly arm, PORTIUS. PORTIUS. Marcus, thou canst not ask what I'd refuse. But here believe me I 've a thousand reasons MARCUS. I know thou 'lt fay, my passion 's out of season, Should both confpire to drive it from my thoughts. What should I do! If I difclofe my paffion, MARCU S. [Afide. But fee where Lucia, at her wonted hour, Amid the cool of yon high marble arch, Enjoys the noon-day breeze! obferve her, Portius! That face, that shape, those eyes, that heaven of beauty! Obferve her well, and blame me if thou canst. PORTIUS. She fees us, and advances MARCUS. I'll withdraw, And leave you for a while. Remember, Portius, Thy brother's life depends upon thy tongue. [Exit. Enter Enter LUCIA. LUCIA. Did not I fee your brother Marcus here? PORTIU S. Oh, Lucia, language is too faint to fhow Oh, Lucia, I'm diftrefs'd! my heart bleeds for him 3 LUCIA. How wilt thou guard thy honour, in the shock Of love and friendship? Think betimes, my Portius Think how the nuptial tie, that might ensure Our mutual blifs, would raise to fuch a height Thy brother's griefs, as might perhaps destroy him. PORTIU S. Alas, poor youth! what doft thou think, my Lucia? His generous, open, undesigning heart Has begg'd his rival to folicit for him. Then do not strike him dead with a denial, With the faint glimmering of a doubtful hope: LUCIA. No, Portius, no! I fee thy fifter's tears, And, Portius, here I fwear, to heaven I swear, PORTIU S. What haft thou faid! I'm thunder-ftruck!-Recall Thofe hafty words, or I am loft for ever. LUCIA. Has not the vow already pafs'd my lips? On perjur'd heads, o'erwhelm me, if I break it! PORTIU S. [After a pause. Fix'd in aftonishment, I gaze upon thee ; Like one just blafted by a stroke from heaven, Who pants for breath, and stiffens, yet alive, In dreadful looks: a monument of wrath! LUCIA. At length I 've acted my feverest part; I feel the woman breaking in upon me, |