_Pla._ My Lord, waste not a Sigh on my Account: My Joys are infinite, since you are mine, And what is past I easily forget. Nay, let me beg for Pardon: For I know I have offended you in coming hither. I should have waited this Return of Virtue: Or, if abandon'd, silently have mourn'd My Loss, without upbraiding my lov'd Lord, All this I should have done, but mighty Love, Too powerful for Duty to withstand, Guided my Steps to _Venice_---- In hopes my Presence would retrieve your Heart. _Bass._ Gods! that this Woman were _Aurelia_! [_Aside._ Thou Wonder of thy Sex! thou best of Women! I blush to think that thou hast heard my Folly: Yet since your Love cancels your just Complaints, You make me doubly blest: And I'll reward This excellent Goodness with eternal Fondness. Oh! that thou hadst been here! Not all the Beauties That _Venice_ holds could have diverted me; No, not one Moment from my dear _Placentia_. Long Absence is the Bane of new-born Love, But Fate shall ne'er have Power to part us more. _Pla._ Oh! my dear Lord, your Goodness is too great: And I'm o'er paid for all my Sorrows past. _Armando_, say, is not he wondrous kind? _Arm._ Madam, I told you Virtue Was struggling in his Breast; and that it might O'ercome his vicious Love, I thought your Presence Was requisite----And now, my Lord, I hope You will forgive me, since all the Endeavours I us'd before had been in vain. I once Design'd to let _Aurelia_ know your Marriage; But then perhaps she would not have believ'd me: Let this plead my Excuse in sending for _Placentia_ Without your Knowledge. _Bass._ I must not let him see I am concern'd. [_Aside._ I know 'twas Friendship all, well-meaning Friendship: I only am to blame: But I'll retrieve My Credit in your Heart, and still deserve The Name of Friend--And thou, the best of Wives, Shalt ne'er have Cause to doubt my constant Love. _Pla._ Oh! my _Bassino_! this Excess of Kindness Exalts me o'er all Mortals, if you're true, There's not a Blast within the Power of Fortune Can shock my Happiness. _Bass._ Thou shalt ne'er find me false, I swear thou shalt not. Oh! that I could engage She would return to _Turin_ with _Armando_; [_Aside._ For if she stays, I never can enjoy My bright _Aurelia_, and by Heaven I will, Altho' ten thousand Lives should pay the Purchase. _Pla._ My Lord, you seem disturb'd. _Bass._ It troubles me You can't appear in _Venice_ with a Train That may bespeak the Rank you hold in _Savoy_. _Pla._ to _Arm._ Oh! _Armando_! He is so kind, I with I ne'er had come! What if I offer to return with you? _Arm._ Madam, you will do well; For I myself cannot suspect him now.