_Bass._ Pride, Honour, Justice are come to my Aid, And Love too feeble to withstand 'em all, Has left the Field to my victorious Reason. Pride, with the Prospect of my future Greatness, Allures me to return with Speed to _Turin_, T'obey my Prince's Orders. Honour and Justice tell me I'm _Placentia_'s, And that _Aurelia_ is _Alonzo_'s Bride. To him she gave her Virgin Vows: Nay, more, To him her dying Father did bequeath her; He loves her too, and shall not be depriv'd: My Passion is subdu'd, and I'm resolv'd Myself to give _Aurelia_ to _Alonzo_. _Arm._ If this be true, then you are my Friend again: But how came you to learn _Aurelia_'s Engagement to _Alonzo_? _Bass._ I have it from himself, who an Hour since, With eager Fury sought to 'venge on me His injur'd Love, and challeng'd me to fight: I chose with Justice to defend my Life, And quit _Aurelia_, rather than to vanquish In such a Cause--_Alonzo_ strait embrac'd me, Call'd me his Friend, and vow'd I should not go, Till I had seen him join'd in solemn Marriage With bright _Aurelia_----This I readily granted. Canst thou believe me true? _Arm._ My Lord, I do believe you---- And am o'erjoy'd to hear your Resolution: By Heaven! there's more Glory in subduing Our wild Desires, than an embattl'd Foe. Now do I wish his Wife had never come. [_Aside._ _Bass._ _Armando_, thou'rt my Friend, and on that Score I must desire you to repair to _Turin_, With all the Speed you can, to bear these Letters To our great Prince, and beg he will excuse My stay for three Days more----And here this Letter Bear to _Placentia_----speak to her the kindest The softest Things thy Fancy can suggest. I shall make good thy Promise---- My dear _Placentia_! Oh! that she were here, Panting and warm within these longing Arms! 'Tis a long Age since I did see her last! But come, my Friend, you must this Hour set forward. _Arm._ With all my Heart: But 'twill not be amiss, Before I go, to fix the Victory, Which conquering Virtue in your Breast has gain'd; And if what you pretend be real Truth, I have a welcome Present for _Bassino_. Madam, come forth---- _Enter_ Placentia. _Bass._ What do I see! my Wife! This was a lucky Plot: [_Aside._ Hypocrisy did ne'er befriend me more. This was not like a Friend--why should _Armando_ Disturb her soft Tranquility of Mind, And give her ocular Proofs of my Disloyalty? Oh! my _Placentia_! my beloved Wife! [_Embraces her._ Oh! that I should e'er think to wrong my Dear!