p. 41Jul. Spain then was conquer’d When fell her laws before the traitor king.

p. 41

ACT II. SCENE 4.

Officer announces Opas.

Opas

O queen, the metropolitan attends On matters of high import to the state, And wishes to confer in privacy.

[Egilona, to Julian.

Egil. Adieu then; and whate’er betide the country, Sustain at least the honours of our house.

[Julian goes before Opas enters.

Opas. I cannot but commend, O Egilona, Such resignation and such dignity. Indeed he is unworthy; yet a queen Rather to look for peace, and live remote p. 42From cities, and from courts, and from her lord, I hardly could expect, in one so young, So early, widely, wondrously, admired.

p. 42

Egil. I am resolved: religious men, good Opas, In this resemble the vain libertine; They find in woman no consistency, No virtue but devotion, such as comes To infancy or age, or fear or love, Seeking a place of rest, and finding none, Until it soar to heaven.

Opas. A spring of mind That rises when all pressure is removed, Firmness in pious and in chaste resolves, But weakness in much fondness; these, O queen, I did expect, I own.

Egil. The better part Be mine; the worst hath been; and is no more.

Opas. But if Roderigo have at length prevailed That Egilona willingly resigns All claim to royalty, and casts away p. 43—Indifferent or estranged—the marriage bond His perjury tore asunder, still the church Hardly can sanction his new nuptial rites.

p. 43

Egil. What art thou saying? what new nuptial rites?

Opas. Thou knowest not?

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