Tow. I have o’erslept my hour this morning, if to enjoy a pleasing dream can be to sleep too long.  Methought my dear Isabinda and myself were lying in an arbour, wreathed about with myrtle and with cypress; my rival Harman, reconciled again to his friendship, strewed us with flowers, and put on each a crimson-coloured garment, in which we straightway mounted to the skies; and with us, many of my English friends, all clad in the same robes.  If dreams have any meaning, sure this portends some good.—­What’s that I see!  A dagger stuck into the paper of my memorials, and writ below—­Thy virtue saved thy life! It seems some one has been within my chamber whilst I slept:  Something of consequence hangs upon this accident.  What, ho! who waits without?  None answer me?  Are ye all dead?  What, ho!

  Enter BEAMONT.

Beam. How is it, friend?  I thought, entering your house, I heard you call.

Tow. I did, but as it seems without effect; none of my servants are within reach of my voice.

Beam. You seem amazed at somewhat?

Tow. A little discomposed:  read that, and see if I have no occasion; that dagger was stuck there, by him who writ it.

Beam. I must confess you have too just a cause:  I am myself surprised at an event so strange.

Tow. I know not who can be my enemy within this island, except my rival Harman; and for him, I truly did relate what passed betwixt us yesterday.

Beam. You bore yourself in that as it became you, as one who was a witness to himself of his own courage; and while, by necessary care of others, you were forced to decline fighting, shewed how much you did despise the man who sought the quarrel:  ’Twas base in him, so backed as he is here, to offer it, much more to press you to it.

Tow. I may find a foot of ground in Europe to tell the insulting youth, he better had provoked some other man; but sure I cannot think ’twas he who left that dagger there.

Beam. No, for it seems too great a nobleness of spirit, for one like him to practise:  ’Twas certainly an enemy, who came to take your sleeping life; but thus to leave unfinished the design, proclaims the act no Dutchman’s.

Tow That time will best discover; I’ll think no further of it.

Beam. I confess you have more pleasing thoughts to employ your mind at present; I left your bride just ready for the temple, and came to call you to her.

Tow. I’ll straight attend you thither.

  Enter HARMAN Sen. FISCAL, and VAN HERRING.

Fisc. Remember, sir, what I advised you; you must seemingly make up the business. [To HAR. Sen.

Har.  Sen. I warrant you.—­What, my brave bonny bridegroom, not yet dressed?  You are a lazy lover; I must chide you. [To TOWERSON.