[Exit Placentia. [Exit Placentia. Enter Bassino. Bass. How does my Friend Armando? Arm. My Lord, Armando's well, And wishes you were so. Bass. Dost thou discover aught that gives thee Cause To doubt I am not well? Indeed I think I am in perfect Health—— —— Arm. My Lord, I should be glad To find that Fever of your Mind abated In which I left you last—— —— Bass. (Aside.) I must dissemble now, Else I'll ne'er gain my Ends—my dear Armando, That Fever thou speak'st of, is now succeeded By a cold Ague-Fit: The bare Remembrance Of my unlawful Passion shakes my Soul. Arm. Such sudden Cures have often prov'd pernicious, And we have Reason to suspect a Wound Too quickly heal'd—— —— Bass. Not when thou know'st what Balsam I applied. Arm. There's scarce a Balm for the deep Wounds of Love, Besides Possession, and I cannot think You have enjoy'd Aurelia. Bass. I swear I have not—— But I enjoy my Reason, my free Reason: And who possesses that, can never cherish A Thought against himself: For such I call Whatsoever keeps me from my lawful Wife, My dear Placentia, to whose Arms I'll fly With all the eager Haste of a fond Bridegroom. There I shall revel in the virtuous Pleasures Of a chaste Bed—Oh! my Friend Armando! My dear Placentia's Friend! can'st thou forgive? Indeed I'm penitent, and will offend no more. —— Arm. My Lord, these are the Words you spoke before: What greater Reason have I now to think You'll keep your Promise? 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
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