e common Consequence of
a Disappointment with a _Spaniard_) lock'd him into a private Closet,
which was no sooner done, but _Richardo_ enter'd the Room with his Sword
drawn, _Amaryllis_ having but just Time to secure her Lover. _Richardo_
demanded of _Amaryllis_ the gay _Sempronius_ as a Criminal, telling her
he had committed a Rape on the Body of the virtuous _Maria_ a Lady
celebrated for Beauty, and to whom all _Italy_ could not produce an
Equal, the Officer ran about the Room, crying, "Justice, Justice, where is
the Villain _Sempronius."_ They search'd the Room very diligently, and
not finding _Sempronius_ at last _Richardo_ address'd himself to
_Amaryllis_ in these Words: "Madam, I hope you have more Virtue and
Honour than to shelter a Criminal, especially where one of your most
beautiful Sex is concern'd, and the greatest Innocence has been
violated: If you allow your House to to be a Sanctuary for Offenders of
this Nature, Justice will require Satisfaction at your Door; you may
your self expect the same Injury to your Person, and I am now prepar'd
to shew a Resentment that will not be pleasing to _Amaryllis_, either
comply with my Desires in producing the Criminal, or expect to fall my
Victim." This Speech very much confounded _Amaryllis_; the Designs of
_Richardo_ she could not easily penetrate, whether against her self or
_Sempronius_ the Plot was laid, or whether it extended to both, she
could not determine: But at last she summon'd her Courage and her
Reason, and with a look of Indignation peculiar to her Sex, she answer'd
thus the malicious and designing _Richardo_: "What Crimes _Sempronius_
has been guilty of, is to me a Secret, but that _Richardo_ deserves the
Character now given of _Sempronius_ is very obvious, and needs no
Difficulty for me to affirm; your brutal Inclinations are not easily
satisfied: When you made your Addresses to me, your Designs were base
and dishonourable; you more than once attempted with force to violate my
Chastity, and for ought I know you are now come upon the same Errand:
What could make you approach me in this hostile manner, but to Ravish
_Amaryllis_, or to Murder _Sempronius_, under a pretence of Justice? But
let the Event be what it will, I'll not deliver up him who is dearer to
me than Life, but dare a Villain to his worst." This heroick Speech made
by _Amaryllis_ dash'd _Richardo_ for the present; but he being resolv'd
to prosecute his Intentions (which indeed were both to