_Aur._ Then I may call you Brother too; For all the solemn Vows of Love have pass'd 'Twixt him and me--And blissful _Hymen_ waits With lighted Torch to tie the sacred Knot, Which shall be done this Hour---- _Pla._ This Hour! say you? Oh! Madam, have a Care: You tread inchanted Ground, and e'er you know What Path you take, you're hurried to Destruction. _Aur._ Where lies the Danger? _Pla._ Oh! 'Tis a fatal Tale, yet you must hear it; Therefore summon your Courage to your Aid, For you will need it all, whilst I relate The fatal Story---- _Aur._ Ah! how I tremble! Say, is he dead? has any murderous Villain Kill'd my _Bassino_? _Pla._ No--he is well in Health: but his distemper'd Mind Is of a wild and feverish Disposition, Longing to taste, what tasted will undo him. _Aur._ Your Speech is all a Riddle: Pray speak plainer: But yet, e'er you proceed, if Count _Bassino_ lives, I care not what must follow, since he's mine. _Pla._ No, he's not yours--Nor ever must. _Aur._ 'Tis false----There's not a Pow'r on Earth can part us: Perhaps, You think my Blood too base to mix with yours---- But, Sir, your Brother loves me, and in Love All Ranks are equal---- _Pla._ No----I wish that were all: But there's a greater Obstacle----He--is--married-- Oh! Gods! unfortunately married! _Aur._ Married! _Pla._ Yes,----Married----to my Sister, To my unfortunate, abandon'd Sister. Oh! do not you conspire t'undo her quite; It is enough, she's false _Bassino_'s Wife. _Aur._ Gods! Married! And is it possible! Oh! faithless Men! Oh! Truth! Oh! Justice! Whither are you fled? Now all my Fears and Horrors are explain'd. _Pla._ I'm glad I reach'd this Place in Time, to hinder Those Ills that must have waited on your Marriage, Now it is in your Power, both to be happy, And, in some Measure, make my Sister so. [_Both rise._ _Aur._ A Paradox in Nature----Bid _Aurelia_ Be happy, when you rob her of her Heaven! Her dear _Bassino_! Indeed your Sister may be counted happy, If she's his Wife--Ha--Wife--by Heaven! 'tis false-- No, no--He has no other Wife but me---- He is not married, you bely him basely---- He cannot be so treacherous---- _Pla._ Madam, I swear, whate'er I said is Truth-- Do but defer this Marriage for a Day, And if I don't produce convincing Proofs, May all the Plagues a Woman can invent Fall on my perjur'd Head---- _Aur._ Defer our Marriage--No, by Heaven I will not. I can't suspect him--Neither do I think You durst maintain this Story to his Face. _Pla._ Madam, I dare; nay, which is more, I'll die, Or vindicate my injur'd Sister's Honour----