. .
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 passes
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!
JUSTINA. Unhappy me!
GOVERNOR. What is this? But empty scabbards,
Naked swords, are quite sufficient
To inform me what has happened.
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