+Diego.+ Am I in fault because I'm not a cat? How could I tell i' th' dark whether that rascal Were a knight-errant or a recreant knight? I thought him one of us, and true to love. Were it not for such accidents as these, That mock man's forecast, sure, the Destinies Had ne'er been plac'd amongst the deities. +Don O.+ Peace, cowardly slave! having thus play'd the rogue, Are you grown sententious? Did I not fear To stain my sword with such base blood, I'd let Thy soul out with it at a thousand wounds. +Diego.+ Why, then, a thousand thanks to my base blood For saving my good flesh. [_Aside._ +Don O.+ Pardon, my dearest mistress, this excess Of passion in your presence. +Por.+ What shall we do, Octavio? if we stay here, We are undone for ever: my brother Will be instantly upon us. Alas! My own life I value not, Octavio, When yours, my better life, such hazard runs; But, O my honour! O my innocence! Expos'd to scandal: there's my deepest sense. +Don O.+ Though the complexion of your brother's malice Resemble hell, it is not black enough To cast a stain upon your virgin innocence. Sure, two such diff'rent branches ne'er did spring From the same stock. To me't seems very strange, Our middle natures, form'd of flesh and blood, Should have such depths of ill, such heights of good, An angel sister and a devil brother! +Por.+ He's my brother, and I know no defence For injur'd innocence but innocence. Fly, fly, Octavio! leave me to my fate. +Don O.+ Your kindness, generous maid, confutes itself. To save my life, you counsel me to fly, Which is at once to bid me live and die. +Por.+ What then, for heaven's sake, d' you resolve to do? +Don O.+ I must resolve, and suddenly, but what, I swear, I know not: there have been such turns In my misfortunes, they have made me giddy. +Por.+ You must determine; time wastes, Octavio. +Don O.+ Madam, if I should lead you through the streets, And chance to meet the officers of justice, I not daring to avow my person, For that unlucky accident you know of, You might, I fear, by that means be in danger: We must not venture't. Run, rascal, and fetch A chair immediately. +Diego.+ A pretty errand at this time o' th' night! These chairmen are exceedingly well-natur'd; Th' are likely to obey a servant's orders After nine of [the] clock! [_Exit +Diego+._