[Exit Ludovico. Lucy. Frank and easy, a la mode de Paris——Well, these indifferent Sparks charm more than all your cringing Fops——Now for my Business—Let me see—I'll to my Lady, she'll write; I'll carry the Letter, and the Devil will turn Saint, if I don't bring 'em together, and merit a further Recompence. —— —— [Exit Lucy. SCENE II. SCENE II. The Scene changes to Bassino's Lodgings, and discovers the Count in his Night-gown, a Table with Lights, and Letters lying on the Table. Bass. All Things lie hush'd in peaceful Silence here: All but Bassino's Mind——Oh! happy he Who lives secure and free from Love's Alarms. But happier far, who, Master of himself, Ranges abroad without that Clog, a Wife. Oh! rigorous Laws impos'd on Free-born Man! On Man, by bounteous Nature first design'd The Sovereign Lord of all the Universe! Why must his generous Passion thus be starv'd, And be confined to one alone? The Woman, whom Heaven sent as a Relief, To ease the Burden of a tedious Life, And be enjoy'd when summon'd by Desire, Is now become the Tyrant of our Fates. [Takes up a Letter. But hold, Bassino! whither does thy Passion Hurry thy wandering Reason: Let this Letter Re-call the Fugitive, and fix thy Senses On duteous Love——A Wife, so young, so fair, So excellent, whose Charms not three Months since Did fire thy Soul; a Wife, who dotes on thee; A Wife to whom thou sworest eternal Love—— By Heaven, I swear again I will be true. This Thought again restores my Peace of Mind—— No, charming Wife; no dear Placentia, no, Thou shalt not beg in vain: I will return [Kisses the Letter. But who comes here—My Friend Armando? —— —— —— ——
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