+Cam.+ I wonder much what lady this can be Antonio mentions. [_Aside._
+Don A.+ Pardon, I beseech you, madam, the liberty Which I so early take; but I presume Such is your generous tenderness to those Whose spiteful fortunes, not their fault, has brought Into distress, that you will think yourself Oblig'd to him who gives you the occasion T' exercise those virtues, which only visit Others, but reside with you. This fair lady-- But she will best relate her own sad story, Whilst I seek out Don Henrique, and engage him T' employ his power and int'rest for her service.
[_Exit +Don Antonio+. Upon +Camilla's+ approach +Porcia+ takes the handkerchief from her eyes._
+Cam.+ Ha! what is that I see? Stay, stay, Antonio, [_She runs after Antonio._ It is not fit Don Henrique--but he's gone, And we are lost for ever!
+Por.+ O heavens! is this Antonio, the same man, To whom I am betroth'd? then my destruction Is inevitable.
+Cam.+ Are you an apparition, or are you Porcia herself? speak; that when y' have said it thrice, I may not yet believe you.
+Por.+ You well may doubt even what you see, Camilla, Since my disasters are so new and strange, They sever truth from credibility.
+Cam.+ How is it possible you should be here?
+Por.+ I know not how: only of this I'm sure, I have not long to expect the dismal end Of my sad tragedy; since 'tis evident, The person that hath led me to this place, This fatal place, is the abus'd Antonio, Who has conspir'd with my unnatural brother To take away my wretched life, and chose This scene as fittest for their cruelty. And thus, strange fate! (through ignorance betray'd) I have sought protection from the same party Whom I have injur'd, and have made my husband The only confidant of his own affront: Who, to accomplish his too just revenge, As well upon my family as person, Gives me up to be murder'd by my brother; So, whilst I'm branded as a faithless bride, He'll be detested as a parricide.
+Cam.+ Prodigious accident! but wert thou blind, Not to know thine own house, unhappy Porcia?
+Por.+ Alas! how could I, in so dark a night, In such confusion, and so full of fear? Besides, he brought me in by the back-way, Through his own quarter, where was neither light, Nor any creature of the family.