Yoor Life had been a forfeit to the Law. 
And were I but the wanton Wife you think me,
What wou’d more welcome be then that Revenge—­
Here on my knees I beg again, my Lord,
You would perswade your self, that what I told you
Was cause of that close meeting, was so truly,
And no invention; and as this Day
Began our Nuptial Joys, so let it end
Our Marriage Discords; then shall I have cause
To keep it Annually a Festival;
In thanks to Heav’n for two such mighty Blessings.

Anto. Caelia, stand up, I will perswade my self. 
By this ——­ I will as much, as e’re I can,
    [Kisses her. 
That thou art Innocent, for if thou bee’st not,
What Woman in the World ought to be thought so? 
But prethee be discreet, mannage thy Actions
With strictest Rules of Prudence, for if not,
Like to a Bow or’e-bent, I shall start back,
And break with passion on thee:  wilt thou be careful?

Cael. Oh!  I am paid for all my sufferings,
This kindness does or’e-joy me, which, my Lord,
Let me for ever lose when any Act
Of mine, shall justly make a forfeit of it.

  Enter Flora_._

Flor. My Lord, here’s Don Gerardo come to see you.

Anto. Admit him in.

    [Exit Flora.

Cael. I will retire, my Lord.

Anto. You need not, Caelia.
    [Enter Gerardo. 
Welcome, Gerardo, this is like a Friend,
That name should know no Ceremonious Laws,
Let them make formal Visits that maintain,
As formal Friendships; ours is try’d and true.

Gerar. This, as I take it, was your Wedding-day,
At which (your pardon, Madam, for a truth.)
I was a Jealous waiter; your great worth
Made me to fear I then had lost a Friend,
And in that room should an acquaintance find.

Cael. But now, my Lord, you see how you mistook,
I was a Rival to his Mistresses,
But to his Friends, one to increase their number.

Ger. I find the truth so great, I wish you may
Live long and happy to possess that place;
Yet I’le confess I did not lose my fears,
Till my dear Friend was pleas’d to use my Sword,
As Second, in the Quarrel with your Kinsman,
The Unfortunate Don Lewis; and I protest
Such Joy I met to be employ’d by him,
That I ne’re sought to know what caus’d the quarrel.

Cael. My Lord, I beg your pardon, I have some little bus’ness in my Closet Which forces me retire.

Ger. Your Lady looks as if she were displeas’d.

Anto. That Kinsman whom I slew is never nam’d, But if she hears it she avoids the place.

Ger. I’m troubled much to be th’ occasion now.

Anto. No matter, Friend, she only knows the cause, Why from such Friendship we grew Enemies, And there is reason why she should be griev’d.