WHen we have paid our sacrifices to the Gods for this deliverance, not onely from a danger but from a warr too, 'twill then become Otho to provide for the entertain∣ment of these Princes, like Friends and Allies to the people of Rome; whose Honour is no less at stake now when they are Friends, then when they declared themselves Enemies.

I shall most gladly, Sir, receive this Commission; and I am so partial to mine own Heart, that I am apt to believe Rome never got more Honour from the Triumph over any Prince, then she will in the Friendship of those whose Virtues and Persons call the gallant part of Mankind to protect them.

Amadeo has more years in his face, else the same Man he was when he fled unkindly from us; I confess, I never saw any stran∣ger I had so much kind value for before. There is something too so

Far from me be the vanity or guilt, to wish the Gods should confine their Blessings; 'tis well if the Romans can preserve their own Honours, and nobler far then to seek the ruine or destru∣ction of it in others; I confess, I never saw nor read of any persons more to be admired then these two Princes: And Rome joynes with me in their praise, since in all her pride of Empire she has thought these worthy both of Warr and Peace; and now, after seven years dispute she embraces them.

Did your Highness never see them before? has there never been any League betwixt your selves or Nations?

Not any, Sir.

Alwayes Enemies! What esteem had you of them?

Nor Friends nor Enemies; unthought of, they lived by us. Good Heards-men, sullen, stout, hardy fellows, such as this his race have alwayes been; who because they know no better, seem to despise the valleyes wealth, bravery and luxury they are unac∣quainted with; For what should they be drunk with? Milk? How exercise their gluttony? upon black bread and scorch'd flesh? For Cloathes, you see, they have as little variety as invention; a Sun-tan'd skin, with the Fur inwards turn'd, with the season, is the Wardrobe of their great Shepherd.

I find Orante has no great kindness for the Prince nor People; yet he cannot deny the Princess Clorinda is a strange ex∣ample of Virtue and Courage; she fears no wounds not dangers.

She will play at foot-ball, thresh, and hew woods, as well as her Brother; Alass, Sir, 'tis not there as in Rome, and the Eastern World, where the Women are soft, bred nice, and full of tender thoughts; Here is no difference betwixt the Sexes, but that they esteem them less then Men: Their Cowes plow too, and their Mares bear burthens, and their Women fight. No beast of that Country has any priviledge; and I wonder at nothing so much as the Roman Curiosity, that has made Warr thus long against this waspes nest in a Rock. By all our Gods, we never thought their Country worth asking for, we onely banish'd Malefactors thi∣ther; and they have chosen rather to return and die here, then live and wither out their daies in that nest of Winter. Cold, Pover∣ty, and Ignorance, are the onely commodities, I know, their Country affords.

Yes, they have something else; they have a breed of stout and handsome Princes; Their Nation too have Loyalty, and Amadeo lookes like a Prince among his People, his Mind too is Princely; and though he live in a Cottage himself, yet his Soul resides in a Palace; which is nobler far then to see Fortune blindly give a Crown to a wretched Prince, who fills a Palace himself, while his Soul lies in straw.

You are Otho that say this, else you should know Orante understands it.

And 'tis to Orante I say it; who, I am certain, has guilt enough to know I mean him; whose Envy cannot suffer the Virtues of a gallant Prince, and faithful People, should be praised; Be∣cause he knowes 'tis upbraiding of him, who has neither Merit to win, nor Power to keep a Crown. Where were the Battles fought that wonn those fruitful Valleyes? What have we to triumph over in Orante?

No more, I say; the Prince is in our protection.

Let him talk on, Sir; he has Reason on his side; For Orante is both in Person and Fortune fit for Otho's scorn: But if Ci∣cilia's eyes had not more Magick in them then his sword, I should Page  237 ere this have found a way to be revenged.

Otho raises stormes, and I must allay them; All this will fall upon my head; and, in serious earnest 'tis not well done to upbraid him with his Person or Fortune; you will rub that tender part till he grow desperate; A thousand times I have heard him say, 'tis yet in his power to kill a Prince, though he cannot restore one; which dark saying he will never explain with other answer, then, Am not I a Prince, may I not kill my self?

Let him be just to others, I will be just to him; Why should his ill Nature find excuse, and my truth be trouble∣some? Why should he lessen my Honour in this Warr, by despising my Enemy, undervaluing, and detracting from the nobleness of those Minds with whom we have made a Friendship?

I confess you have reason to be angry, if the subject were worthy of it; but being branded with the marks of a Malici∣ous Nature and an ill Tongue, you ought to despise his words; for how can you be handsomely angry with one you have overcome already? To whom you may give Honour, but can hope none; And I know Otho scorns such an easie secure Warr.

Yet I am then like my Sister, who, whilst she con∣demns it, fights that battle, and has again overcome a Brother, whose Heart and Reason has by a thousand victories confess'd her Power, and still shall remain the loving, though the conquer'd Otho.

When you see Lucius, let him know I would speak with him, and let us have no more of this dispute; You know, he is a thing we cannot fear, let him pass by; and since he has not Ho∣nour enough to kill himself, let him live.

How now, Calis! sad!

So will Cicilia be, when she knows what I see.

Prithee what can there be of new that should make me sad?

Did you observe Lucius, when Amadeo spake to you?

Not particularly.

I have so much Friendship for Lucius, as to fear there may be some trouble in his Mind; some fears worth the remedy of his friends to cure betimes.

His fears? 'tis not possible, sure, that Lucius should have fears now; if he has, they will be more dangerous then any thing he apprehends; for if he fears me after this mornings satisfaction, he has lost my Heart; for I shall despise him that call me false. Love has but one path, but one safe way; he that would walk in two may lose himself; and I have told Lucius he is that way; and no∣thing but his Jealousie and Injustice can make Cicilia stray.

See, Madam, a visit not to be avoided; would Amadeo were no more to be suspected for Lucius sake.

While Orante is civil, I must bear his visit; and his Love Page  238 is less injurious then Lucius his fears will be.

If my return be troublesome, as my fears still tell me, unfortunate Orante is even in his Love to Cicilia, who has no guilt but what she and Love are to answer for; Behold I am come once again to offer, with humble thoughts, all the service of my life at Cicilia's feet; Dot no despise me because your Brother throws his Injuries upon me; 'tis your Highness protects him from Orante, who fears nor loves any thing but Cicilia; for whose dear sake I have still born the burthen of my Miseries.

Sir, I am not now to tell you why your Propositions come too late; Orante is not ignorant of that Obligation Lucius has upon me; and to pursue me after that knowledge is such an Injury, as if Orante doth not repent and desist from, I shall be bound in Honour to punish.

To punish you have reason, Madam; your Brother teaches all the world how to treat tame Orante.

Your Highness is onely sensible of those Injuries which are done to you, and never consider how you force Men into Passion; would you have heard a third person despise the Princes? I am con∣fident you would not; why then should your Highness in a full Court speak disdainfully and sleightly of Clorinda, knowing what Passion the Prince and she have for each other?

I despise her not, nor ever consider her or her Brother so much as to beget my Envy; I cannot admire them for lying in snow, and eating of black bread; they live and eat as they were bred; better food would set their teeth on edge.

Yet 'tis great Virtue to bear those difficulties, and suffer them rather then lose their Honour; and will be admired by all generous Minds that shall read their story.

Not at all; no more then we admire our Horses for eat∣ing grass, 'tis their Nature; nor is there more wonder nor pity due to what Clorinda acts or suffers, then to a Tree for standing in the rain; and I would call one as soon into my house as the other; they are all bred to't, 'tis their Countries Nature and Custom; their Fathers did it before them, and their Children must do it after them; 'tis Nature not Virtue you admire.

If this be not Virtue, what will plead for an Admira∣tion in your sence? What do you believe worth Honour and Admiration?

Their contrary; to have been born great, heir to the pride of Nature, Prince of a Country the envious world, nay Rome her self, hath looked upon with covetous eyes to have pos∣sess'd; That without trouble, fear, or danger, to have had all the blessings that the Gods could send a Man; To give these, nay be robb'd of these, and not feel the theft, but willingly suffer to be thus deposed from all his joyes for Cicilia's sake. This if it be not worth her admiration, it deserves her pity at least, since she is the cause of all this misery; For her Beauty is the chain that binds me from taking Revenge for this theft, for whose dear sake I have di∣gested all these scorns and injuries; Nay, I have brooked a Ri∣val, Page  239 a happy Rival too, because she loves him; but be not too ob∣stinate in this cruelty, urge not a heart too far that is full of love and duty; your scorn may bow him till he breaks all bounds of Love and Honour, as you have done of Charity; My form, I know, is despicable; but Love is beauty still; Love can make me lovely, and scorn, gentle Maid, is as deformed as I am; and such a poyson it will even infect Cicilia's heart, and make her ugly, even in Orante's eyes; Scorn will do more then Reason, Love, or Ho∣nour; 'twill beget anger, in whose darke shades, in whose storms Love and Beauty will be blasted; and then what succeeds, hate, dangerous hate, whose effect will be as full of misery to Cicilia, as Love has been to me; who cannot hope will be angry, and re∣venge still waits a despairing Lover; and who ever he be that is despised, till he despise himself for loving so unfortunately, may when he will be revenged, though not pleased; your Father con∣quered my Country, betray'd by those I trusted; all, but Orante, Treason gave you; but I was reserved to give a victory to Cicilia's eyes; but if she still delight to frown, know, I can and will be free; but I have yet so much love, as to fear, for your Highness, what issue your scorn and my revenge may have. When I have the honour to see you next, and your Highness has considered what I have said, I shall hope my love may beget an answer to bind me ever to your feet; your pardon, Madam, I will retire.

What do you study, Madam? is there any thing in this to be considered? haste to the Pretor, let him and your Brother be acquainted with the dangers that he threatens; he is no more to be trusted loose, my heart prophesies he will act some desperate vil∣lany, if you permit him to walk and converse among us.

I have my fears too, but not for my self; Lucius and Otho are the objects of his hate and envy, which makes me apprehend, for them; else for what concerns me I despise him.