The Servant no
sooner open'd the Door, but _Richardo_ and the Officer of Justice
enter'd the House, (beating down the Servant) and immediately ascended
the Stairs in pursuit of _Sempronius_; during this Bustle, _Amaryllis_
suspecting a Design against _Sempronius_, (_Richardo_ having formerly
offer'd his Service to her, and Revenge being the 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.
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