_Pla._ Oh! my sick Fancy frames a thousand Forms, Which tell me that our Meeting will prove fatal. And warn me not to go, what shall I do? Must I bear calmly my _Bassino_'s Loss? Why do I tremble thus? Sure it can't be the Fear of Death----No, for if I go not I must lose him, and that's more Than Death to me----and if I go, I can but fall, And Life without him is the greater Woe, Therefore I'll on, I'll use the softest Words That Tongue can frame to sooth her into Pity, And dissuade her from this impious Marriage. If I succeed I am compleatly happy, If not, I'd rather die than live with Hate, But first, curst Rival, thou shalt share my Fate. [_Exit_ Placentia. _A Flourish of Musick._ _Bass._ 'Tis now the Time----but whither do I go? Shall I a Maid, a Wife, a Friend betray? No matter---- All Arguments are vain, where Love bears Sway. [_Exit_ Bassino. A SONG. _When the Winds rage, and the Seas grow high,_ _They bid Mankind beware,_ _But when they smooth and calm the Sky,_ _'Tis then they would ensnare._ _So the bright_ Thais _Kindness shows,_ _By frowning on her Lovers,_ _For Ruin only from her flows,_ _When she her Charms discovers._ _Piz._ Come now, Gentlemen and Ladies, be pleas'd to walk into the next Room, and take a small Collation--But where's my Lord _Bassino_? Come, Gentlemen, he's gone before us. _Arm._ Where we will quickly follow. (_Aside._) _Alonzo_, a Word with you-- [_Exit Omnes_. SCENE II. _A Chamber in_ Aurelia's _House_. _Two Arm-Chairs._ Aurelia _sola_. _Aur._ I wonder much at my _Bassino_'s Stay: Oh! Love! how swiftly fly thy Hours away When we are blest! How tedious are thy Minutes When cruel Absence parts two longing Lovers! _Enter_ Florella. Is my _Bassino_ come? speak---- _Flor._ No, Madam, a young Stranger desires to speak with you: He says, you are not acquainted with his Name, but will soon with his Business, which is something of great Import, that can be told to none but yourself. _Aur._ A Stranger Business with me! I know of none I have with Strangers--Heaven! what's this? I feel a sudden Throbbing in my Heart, As if 'twas conscious of some fatal News-- [_Aside._ Womanish Fears----Admit him--(_Exit_ Florella) it must be One of _Bassino_'s Friends, whom he intrusts To be a Witness of our Marriage Vows. _Enter_ Placentia, _in Man's Cloaths_. _Pla._ Madam, I was inform'd that Count _Bassino_ Was to be here--and having Things t'impart That much concern him, I made bold to come---- _Aur._ Sir, I expect him straight--if you're his Friend I will account you mine--Be pleas'd to sit. [_Both sit._ _Pla._ My Brother, Madam, is extremely happy In being favour'd by so fair a Lady---- _Aur._ Your Brother, Sir! is then my Lord your brother? _Pla._ Madam, he is.