SCENE I.--AURELIUS’ CAMP.

_Enter_ AURELIUS, UTER, PASCENTIUS, _and_ FLAVIA.

_Aur._ You, then, escap’d, disguis’d in man’s attire?

_Fla._ ’Tis true, I did; but ne’er hath rapier yet Adorn’d a side less fitting to support it.

_Aur._ To you, Pascentius, my best thanks are due.

_Pas._ Nay, nay; ’tis little that to me you owe.

_Fla._ Indeed, but for his aid, I long, ere this Had broke my sacred vow, and wedded death.

_Uter._ Brother, the enemy is near at hand; Straight let us forth, and range our troops for battle.

_Aur._ Go you before, and swift I’ll follow. Now to thy care, my dearest friend, I trust Thy beauteous sister, and my sweetest love. Should victory proclaim the day our own, All will be well; but should the loss be ours, To heav’n’s just guard I must resign you both. Two trusty servants have I plac’d without, Who will conduct you westward of our camp: If we be beaten, thither we’ll retreat. Haste! fare thee well, sweet love.

_Fla._ This token let me brace around thine arm, Think of me in the field, nor let revenge Blot from thy gen’rous breast all sense of pity.

_Aur._ O! cruel fortune, so soon to wrench from me This lovely form; to steal thy beauteous hand, And offer to my grasp this weighty steel.

[_Exeunt._