Volume I Part 21 (1/2)

[Offers to fight. _Flor_. runs in.

_Flor._ Oh, hold! whoe'er you be, I do conjure you hold.

If you strike here-- I die-- [To _Belv._

_Pedro._ _Florinda!_

_Belv._ _Florinda_ imploring for my Rival!

_Pedro._ Away, this Kindness is unseasonable.

[Puts her by, they fight; she runs in just as _Belv._ disarms _Pedro_.

_Flor._ Who are you, Sir, that dare deny my Prayers?

_Belv._ Thy Prayers destroy him; if thou wouldst preserve him.

Do that thou'rt unacquainted with, and curse him. [She holds him.

_Flor._ By all you hold most dear, by her you love, I do conjure you, touch him not.

_Belv._ By her I love!

See-- I obey-- and at your Feet resign The useless Trophy of my Victory. [Lays his sword at her Feet.

_Pedro._ _Antonio_, you've done enough to prove you love _Florinda._

_Belv._ Love _Florinda_!

Does Heaven love Adoration, Pray'r, or Penitence?

Love her! here Sir,-- your Sword again.

[s.n.a.t.c.hes up the Sword, and gives it him.

Upon this Truth I'll fight my Life away.

_Pedro._ No, you've redeem'd my Sister, and my Friends.h.i.+p.

_Belv._ Don _Pedro_!

[He gives him _Flor._ and pulls off his Vizard to shew his Face, and puts it on again.

_Pedro._ Can you resign your Claims to other Women, And give your Heart intirely to _Florinda_?

_Belv._ Intire, as dying Saints Confessions are.

I can delay my happiness no longer.

This minute let me make _Florinda_ mine:

_Pedro._ This minute let it be-- no time so proper, This Night my Father will arrive from _Rome_, And possibly may hinder what we propose.

_Flor._ Oh Heavens! this Minute! [Enter Masqueraders, and pa.s.s over.

_Belv._ Oh, do not ruin me!

_Pedro._ The place begins to fill; and that we may not be observ'd, do you walk off to St. _Peter's_ Church, where I will meet you, and conclude your Happiness.

_Belv._ I'll meet you there-- if there be no more Saints Churches in _Naples_.