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dence in staying for you are most unwelcome

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wour brother? You are waited for by great men he'll bring

"Ori. I am very well, my lord; you do mistake me, if you think I affect greater company than yourself.

"Gond. What madness possesseth thee, that thou canst imagine me a fit man to entertain ladies? I tell thee, I do use to tear their hair, to kick them, and to twinge their noses, if they be not careful in avoiding me.

"Ori. Your lordship may descant upon your own behaviour as please you, but I protest, so sweet and courtly it appears in my eye, that I mean not to leave you yet.

"Gond. I shall grow rough.

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Ori. A rough carriage

you, my lord.

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" Gond. Why, I will starve thee; thou shalt have nothing. "Ori. I have heard of your lordship's nothing; I'll put that to the venture.

"Gond. Well, thou shalt have meat; I 'll send it to thee. "Ori. I'll keep no state, my lord; neither do I mourn; I'll dine with you.

"Gond. Is such a thing as this allow'd to live? What power hath let thee loose upon the earth, To plague us for our sins? Out of my doors!

"Ori. I would your lordship did but see how well This fury doth become you! it doth shew So near the life, as it were natural.

"Gond. Oh, thou damn'd woman! I will fly the vengeance That hangs above thee: Follow, if thou darest!

[Exit GONDARINO.

"Ori. I must not leave this fellow; I will torment him

to madness!

To teach his passions against kind to move,

The more he hates, the more I 'll seem to love.

[Exeunt ORIANA, Maid and Page."

This levity on the lady's part has its effect: when the duke calls a second time, he is assured by the general that she is the mistress of the latter. Her fame is thus blasted; she is even told that it is so; and she now desires Gondarino to speak the truth and restore her to reputation. He promises to do so; professess great sorrow for his wanton aspersion of her character, and even admiration for her. In the mean time he persuades her to retire for a while, until he undeceives the duke: but he has a deeper project in view, - to plunge her into infamy beyond the reach posed that she would return to her own house, until the explanation were made: but, with a folly that defies the power of estimation, she allows herself to go where he appoints, and is conducted to a house of illfame, and shut in a private apartment. Gondarino now hastens to the duke and her brother, and tells them that the lady has so far lost all shame as to take up her abode in a brothel, where he is in the habit of visiting her; and in proof of his assertion invites them to accompany him to the house. They go, and she appears at the window. The proof seems complete enough; but on the lady recognising her brother, she intreats him to help her. Gondarino asserts that this is all a farce; that to save appearances only she wishes for protection. To ascertain whether she be really innocent the duke and her brother agree that a last trial shall be made. If she be really guilty, she will not hesitate to commit one sin more to save her life; and a certain Arrigo is told to try her, the duke and her brother Valore remaining hidden to view and hear all that passes.

"Enter ARRIGO and ORIANA below; Duke, VALORE, and
GONDARINO above.

"Ori. Sir, what may be the current of your business,
That thus you single out your time and place?

"Arr. Madam, the business now imposed upon me

Concerns you nearly;

I wish some worser man might finish it.

"Ori. Why are you changed so? are you not well, sir?
"Arr. Yes, madam, I am well: 'Would you were so !
" Ori. Why, sir, I feel myself in perfect health.
"Arr. And yet you cannot live long, madam.

"Ori. Why, good Arrigo?

"Arr. Why, you must die.

"Ori. I know I must;

But yet my fate calls not upon me.

"Arr. It does;

This hand the duke commands shall give you death.

" Ori. Heaven, and the powers divine, guard well the innocent!

Lody your prayers may do your soul some good,

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Then, lady, you must know, you are held unhonest :
The duke, your brother, and your friends in court,
With too much grief condemn you; though to me,
The fault deserves not to be paid with death.

"Ori. Who's my accuser?

"Arr. Lord Gondarino.

"Ori. Arrigo, take these words, and bear them to the duke;

It is the last petition I shall ask thee:

Tell him, the child this present hour brought forth

To see the world has not a soul more pure,

More white, more virgin, than I have; tell him,
Lord Gondarino's plot I suffer for,

And willingly; tell him, it had been

A greater honour to have saved than kill'd :

But I have done strike! I am arm'd for Heaven.

Why stay you? is there any hope?

"Arr. I would not strike.

"Ori. Have you the power to save?

"Arr. With hazard of my life, if it should be known.

"Ori. You will not venture that?

"Arr. I will: Lady,

There is that means yet to escape your death,

If you can wisely apprehend it.

"Ori. You dare not be so kind?

"Arr. I dare, and will, if you dare but deserve it. "Ori. If I should slight my life, I were to blame. "Arr. Then, madam,

This is the means, or else you die : I love you. "Ori. I shall believe it if you save my life. "Arr. And you must lie with me.

" Ori. I dare not buy my life so.

"Arr. Come, you must resolve; say yea or no.

" Ori. Then no! Nay, look not ruggedly upon me;

I am made up too strong to fear such looks:

Come, do your butcher's part! before

I would wish life, with the dear loss of honour,

I, dare find means to free myself

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