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THE MARTYR.

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ACT 1.

SCENE I.—A private Apartment in the house of Sulpicius.

Enter Sulpicius and Orceres by opposite sides.

SULPICIUS.

So soon return'd!—I read not in thy face

Aught to encourage or depress my wishes.
How is it, noble friend?

ORCERES.

Ev'n as it was ere I received my mission.

Cordenius Maro is on public duty;
I have not seen him.—When he knows your offer,
His heart will bound with joy, like eaglet plumed,
Whose outstretch'd pinions, wheeling round and round,
Shape their first circles in the sunny air.

SULPICIUS.

And with good cause.

ORCERES.

Methinks I see him now!

A face with blushes mantling to the brow,