But my Spinella, trembling on her knee,

Would have accus'd her breach of truth, and begg'd

A speedy execution on her trespass ;

Then with a justice, lawful as the magistrate's, Might I have drawn my sword against Adurni, Which now is sheath'd and rusted in the scabbard, Good thanks to your cheap providence!-Once

more

I make demand-my wife!-you,—sir—

Aurel. Roar louder,

[Draws his sword.

The noise affrights not me; threaten your enemies, And prove a valiant tongue-man ;-now must follow,

By way of method, the exact condition
Of rage which runs to mutiny in friendship.
Auria, come on, this weapon looks not pale
[Draws.
At sight of that-Again hear, and believe it,
What I have done, was well done and well meant;
Twenty times over, were it new to do,

I'd do't and do't, and boast the pains religious;
Yet since you shake me off, I slightly value
Other severity.

Aur. Honour and duty

Stand my compurgators: never did passion
Purpose ungentle usage of my sword

Against Aurelio; let me rather want

My hands, nay, friend, a heart, than ever suffer Such dotage enter here. If I must lose Spinella, let me not proceed to misery,

By losing my Aurelio: we, through madness, Frame strange conceits in our discoursing brains,

And prate of things as we pretend they were.
Join help to mine, good man, and let us listen
After this straying soul, and, till we find her,
Bear our discomfort quietly.

Aurel. So, doubtless,

She may be soon discover'd.

Aur. That's spoke cheerfully.

Why there's a friend now!-Auria and Aurelio
At odds! oh! it cannot be, must not, and shall

not.

Enter CASTANNA.

But look, Castanna's here!-welcome, fair figure
Of a choice jewel, lock'd up in a cabinet,
More precious than the public view should sully.
Cast. Sir, how you are inform'd, or on what terms
Of prejudice against my course or custom,
Opinion sways your confidence, I know not.
Much anger, if my fears persuade not falsely,
Sits on this gentleman's stern brow; yet, sir,
If an unhappy maid's word may find credit,
As I wish harm to nobody on earth,

So would all good folks may wish none to me!
Aur. None does, sweet sister.

Cast. If they do, dear Heaven

Forgive them, is my prayer; but, perhaps,
You might conceive (and yet methinks you should
not)

How I am faulty in my sister's absence:
Indeed 'tis nothing so, nor was I knowing
Of any private speech my lord intended,
Save civil entertainment: pray, what hurt
Can fall out in discourse, if it be modest?

Sure noblemen will show that they are such

With those of their own rank;—and that was all My sister can be charged with.

Aur. Is't not, friend,

An excellent maid?

Aurel. Deserves the best of fortunes;

I ever spoke her virtuous.

Cast. With your leave,

You used most cruel language to my sister,
Enough to fright her wits; not very kind
To me myself: she sigh'd when you were gone,
Desired no creature else should follow her;
And in good truth, I was so full of weeping,
I mark'd not well which way she went.

Aur. Staid she not

Within the house then?

Cast. 'Las, not she!-Aurelio

Was passing rough.

Aur. Strange! nowhere to be found?

Cast. Not yet; but on my life, ere many hours, I shall hear from her.

Aur. Shalt thou? worthy maid,

Thou hast brought to my sick heart a cordial.

Friend,

Good news!-Most sweet Castanna!

Aurel. May it prove so.

SCENE IV.—A Street.

Enter BENATZI.

Ben. The paper in the

[Exeunt.

purse for my directions

appointed this the place, the time now; here dance I attendance-she is come already.

Enter LEVIDOLche.

Lev. Parado! so I overheard you named. Ben. A mushroom, sprung up in a minute by the sunshine of your benevolent grace. Liberality and hospitable compassion, most magnificent beauty, have long since lain bed-rid in the ashes of the old world, till now your illustrious charity hath raked up the dead embers, by giving life to a worm inevitably devoted yours, as you shall please to new-shape me.

Lev. A grateful man, it seems. Where gratitude Has harbour, other furniture, becoming

Accomplish'd qualities, must needs inhabit. [Aside. What country claims your birth?

Ben. None; I was born at sea, as my mother was in passage from Cape Ludugory to Cape Cagliari,* toward Africk, in Sardinia; was bred up in Aquilastro, and, at years, put myself in service under the Spanish viceroy, till I was taken prisoner by the Turks. I have tasted in my days handsome store of good and bad, and am thankful for both. Lev. Dare you be secret?

Ben. Yes.

Lev. And sudden?

Ben. Yes.

As my mother was in passage from Cape Ludugory to Cape Cagliari.] Benatzi is sufficiently correct in his geography. In our old maps of Sardinia, the northern division of the island is called Logudori, and the southern Cagliari.-Gifford.

Lev. But, withal, sure of hand and spirit?
Ben. Yes, yes, yes.

Lev. I use not many words, the time prevents 'em :

A man of quality has robb'd mine honour.

Ben. Name him.

Lev. Adurni.

Ben. He shall bleed.

Lev. Malfato

Contemn'd my proffer'd love.

Ben. Yoke them in death.

What's my reward?

Lev. Propose it, and enjoy it.
Ben. You for my wife.
Lev. Ha!

Ben. Nothing else: deny me,

And I'll betray your counsels to your ruin;
Else, do the feat courageously.-Consider.

Lev. I do: dispatch the task I have enjoin'd, Then claim my promise.

Ben. No such matter, pretty one,

We'll marry first,-or-farewell.

Lev. Stay: examine

[Going.

From my confession what a plague thou draw'st

Into thy bosom: though I blush to say it,

Know, I have, without sense of shame or ho

nour,

Forsook a lawful marriage-bed, to dally

Between Adurni's arms.

Ben. This lord's.

Lev. The same.

More; not content with him, I courted
A newer pleasure, but was there refused
By him I named so late.

VOL. II.

F