University of Virginia Library

SCENE THE FIRST.

Rosmunda, Almachilde, Soldiers.
Ros.
To the camp goest thou?

Al.
But I shall thence ...
Return ...

Ros.
And I expect thee from the camp
A conqueror here: here keep for thee thy victims.

Al.
Time now is wanting to reply to thee.
First would I shew myself to Ildovaldo.

Ros.
Go, fly, and fight: I have myself unloosed
His fetters. Thou, erewhile, in single combat
Didst wish to encounter him: but if his hands
With chains were laden, how could he resist thee?
Released, already he expects thee; run
To triumph over him.

Al.
Thy trait'rous arts,
My rival, and the disaffected camp,
All equally I scorn. At length, for once,
Thou hast afforded me a valid reason,
Whence with good right I may appear to thee
A foe avowed: irrevocably now
Thou hast released me from thy interests.

Ros.
Go
Conquer, return; and menace afterwards.

Al.
I shall be victor; Heaven supports my cause:
Who, if I fall, remains to punish thee!