should e'er think to wrong my Dear! [Aside. [Embraces her. 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. [Aside. 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. [Aside. 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;
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