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_?

_Enter_ Armando.

_Arm._ Dear Friend, I heard The Conflict of your Passion, and my Joys Are now compleat, since Virtue gains the Day.

_Bass._ Yes, dear _Armando_, the Conflict is o'er, And I'm resolv'd to fly to my _Placentia_.

_Arm._ Cherish that Thought: By Heaven your Resolution Transports my Soul with Joy! A kind, a virtuous Wife waits your Embraces; A Wife, who like a Turtle mourns the Absence Of her dear Mate. Haste then, my Friend, to drive That Cloud of Sorrow which o'ercasts her Mind, And, like the Sun, dispel her gloomy Thoughts.

_Bass._ Thanks for your Counsel---- You like a God support my feeble Virtue. This very Morning I'll prepare for _Turin_, Where Time and Absence will deface the Image Of that bewitching Beauty, which now haunts My tortur'd Mind--Yet, first I'll take my Leave Of this fair Charmer----And Heaven grant That I may see her unconcern'd----

_Arm._ My Lord, what d'you mean? Have you well weigh'd the Danger of this Visit?

_Bass._ What danger can there be?

_Arm._ Danger! my Lord--Consider well how feeble Our Reason is against the Pow'r of Beauty----

_Bass._ My Resolution's firm; no Charm can shake it.

_Arm._ If not her Beauty, fear her Syren Tongue; fear her endearing Prayers, her fond Reproaches, Her tender Sighs, her Vows, her trickling Tears. Nay--if all these prove vain, fear her Despair, A Woman, an abandon'd Woman's Rage.

_Bass._ Were there more Dangers, yet I'll stand 'em all; My Honour bids me pay this parting Visit: My Heart shall have no Share in what I'll speak. Trust me this once, and be yourself a Witness, _Bassino_ can controul unlawful Love.----

_Arm._ My Lord, 'tis with Regret I see you go, May Heaven assist you in this dangerous Strife.