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Enter Valeria, Lucia, and attendant Ladies.

VALERIA (to Constantine).

I come to claim thy promise: one short hour,

A hasty sunbeam thro' the cloud's dark skirt,
Thou giv'st to me, and I must claim my right.
Thy friends too, ere they go, shall be my guests:
I have brought powerful suitors to assist me.
(Pointing to her ladies.)
Ha! what disturbs thee? how is this, my love?
Thy face is chang'd and troubl'd—What new cause——

CONSTANTINE.

O, no new cause! one that has much disturb'd me.

VALERIA.

And one to me unknown?

CONSTANTINE.

Speak to her, Othus!

OTHUS.

By many various ills and cares oppress'd,

Your royal lord is still most closely touch'd
With that which does your weal regard. What fate
May, in a storm-ta'en city, of dire sights
And horrid cruelties, have in reserve,