CONTENTS

Armando's Lodgings. Enter Armando, Placentia.

Armando's Lodgings.

Pla. Oh! Armando! Thou more than Friend to the distress'd Placentia! Say, how shall I regain my lost Bassino, My false, perfidious Husband? [Weeps.

[Weeps.

Arm. Dear Madam, moderate your Sorrow: Reserve those Tears to move Bassino's Heart, Mine is all Pity: You may rest secure Of all the Arguments a Friend can use To bring him back to your endearing Arms. Virtue's not quite extinguish'd in his Breast, Therefore I hope the sight of bright Placentia Will rouze his slumb'ring Reason——

——

Pla. Oh! Bassino! Bassino! Oh! wretched Woman! Oh! that I had dy'd E'er I had known him false: Then I were happy: And tho' contented with his second Choice, He with a pitying Sigh, perhaps, had grac'd My Memory—— Oh! all ye Powers that virtuous Love inspire, Assist me now: Inform my vocal Organs With angel Eloquence, such as can melt His Heart of Flint, and move his former Kindness. (Aside.) But if that fail, I will remove the Cause Of both our Woes——Yes, that happy Charmer, That Rival of my Love shall surely die.

——

——

Arm. Doubt not of the Success; What Heart of Steel Could e'er resist such Beauty dress'd in Tears?

Enter a Servant.

Serv. Sir, Count Bassino enquires if you are within.

Pla. Oh! Heavens! how I tremble!

Arm. Lucky Opportunity——shew him up. Madam, be pleas'd to step into that Closet. Till I can sound the utmost of his Thoughts, And shew him naked to your secret View, Then when he's in the height of impious Passion, You like a Bolt from Heav'n shall rush on him, And strike his Folly dumb.

——

Pla. Almighty Powers, whose providential Care Is ever kind to virtuous Innocence, Oh! help me now in this Extremity. 

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