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LYSANDER. Well, sir, speak.
FLORUS [aside, at the door]. Florus in Justina's house Leaves and enters like a master!-- These are not unfounded jealousies, These are real and substantial.
LYSANDER. You grow pale, you change your colour.
FLORUS. Do not wonder, be not startled, For I came to give a warning, To your life of utmost value, Of an enemy that you have, Who your swift destruction planneth.
What I've said is quite sufficient.
LYSANDER [aside]. Florus, doubtless, must have gathered Somehow that I am a Christian, And thus comes in kindliest manner Of my danger to apprise me.-- [Aloud.
Speak, hide nothing in this matter.
SCENE XIV.
LIVIA enters.--
JUSTINA, LYSANDER, and FLORUS; LELIUS at the door of the room.
LIVIA. Sir, the Governor, who is waiting At the door of the house, commanded Me to call you to his presence.
FLORUS. Best I wait for his departure:-- [Aside.
(Meantime my excuse I'll think of.) So 'tis well that you despatch him.
LYSANDER. I appreciate your politeness.
Here I will return instanter.
[Exeunt LYSANDER and LIVIA.
SCENE XV.
JUSTINA and FLORUS; LELIUS at the door.
FLORUS. Are you then that virtuous maiden, Who, the very breeze that flatters With its soft and sweet caresses, You would call rude, bold, unmannered?
How then is it you surrendered Even the very keys of the casket Of your honour?
JUSTINA. Hold, hold, Florus, Do not dare to throw a shadow On that honour which the sun After the most strict examen Has proved bright and pure.
FLORUS. Too late Comes this idle boast. It happens That I know to whom you have given Free access...
JUSTINA. You dare this scandal?--
FLORUS. By a balcony...
JUSTINA. Do not say it.
FLORUS. To your honour.
JUSTINA. Thus will you blast me?
FLORUS. Yes, for hypocritical virtue Merits something even harsher.
LELIUS [at the door, aside]. Florus was not then the hero Of the balcony; some more happy Lover than us twain she welcomes.
JUSTINA. Oh! defame not n.o.ble damsels, Since you n.o.ble blood inherit.
FLORUS. n.o.ble damsel, dar'st thou call thee, When thy very arms received him, And from thy balcony he departed?
Power subdued thee; from the fact That the Governor is his father, Vanity led thee on to show That in Antioch he commanded...
LELIUS [aside]. Here he speaks of me.
FLORUS. Not seeing Any graver defect of manner, Than what in his birth and breeding Rank may cover with its mantle, But not so....
[LELIUS enters.
LELIUS. Be silent, Florus, Nor attack me in my absence; For of a rival to speak ill, Is the act but of a dastard.
'Tis to stop this I come forward, Angry after so many pa.s.ses Which my sword has had with thine, That I have not yet dispatched thee.
JUSTINA. Who, not guilty, ever saw her In such dangerous straits entangled?
FLORUS. What behind your back was spoken, I before you will establish, Truth is truth where'er 'tis uttered.
[They grasp their swords.
JUSTINA. Florus! Lelius! what would you have then.
LELIUS. I would have full satisfaction Where I heard th'insulting language.
FLORUS. I'll maintain what I have said Where I said it.
JUSTINA. From so many Strokes of fortune, free me, Heaven!--
FLORUS. And I'll learn to chastise your rashness.
SCENE XVI.
The Governor enters with LYSANDER and attendants.--JUSTINA, LELIUS, and FLORUS.
[All who enter]. Hold! stand back!
