And though our Author pleads not guilty now.
And to his Tryal stands, he hopes that you,
Will not too strictly his accusers hear,
For if this Play can draw from you a Tear,
He'l slight the Wits, Half-Wits, and Criticks too;
And Judge his strength by his well pleasing you_.




The
Fatal Jealousie.

Act the First. Scene the First.


_The Curtain drawn Discovers _Don Antonio_ and _Cælia_ in
Morning-Gowns. Chamber and Bed._

_Cæl._ My Lord, you well may blame my conduct of that bus'ness,
Since it produc'd such dismal Accidents,
As my heart trembles but to think upon;
Yet for _Don Lewis_'s Innocence and mine,
In the contrivance of that Fatal Meeting;
I must for ever, during Life, be Champion.
And, as he with his dying breath protested,
He ne're meant wrong to you; so am I ready
To dye a Martyr to my Innocence.

_Anto._ Come, come, these are but wyles to Palliate things,