_Cipr._ Oh, were it not that sometimes through the dark, That walls us all about, a random ray Breaks in to tell one of a better day Beyond—
_Enter LELIO and FLORO, as about to fight._
_Lelio._ Enough—these branches that exclude the sun Defy all other inquisition. No need of further way.
_Floro._ Nor further word; Draw, sir, at once—
_Lelio._ Nay, parry that yourself Which waited not your summons to be drawn.
_Lelio._ And with their arms arrest a just revenge?
_Cipr._ And well indeed may trees begin to talk, When men as you go babbling.
_Floro._ Whoso speaks And loves his life, hold back.
_Lelio._ I know the voice, But dazzled with the darkness—Cipriano?
_Cipr._ Ay; Cipriano, sure enough; as you Lelio and Floro.
_Floro._ Well, let that suffice, And leave us as you find us.
_Cipr._ Till I know How it has come to pass that two such friends, Each of the noblest blood in Antioch, Are here to shed it by each other’s hands.
_Lelio._ Sudden surprise, and old respect for you, Suspend my sword a moment, Cipriano, That else—
_Floro._ Stand back, stand back! You are a scholar, And better versed in logic than the laws Of honour; and perhaps have yet to learn That when two noblemen have drawn the sword, One only must return it to the sheath.
_Lelio._ ’Tis so indeed—once more, stand off.
_Cipr._ And once more Back, both of you, say I; if of your lives Regardless, not of mine, which thus, unarm’d, I fling between your swords— Lelio, I look to you—Floro, as ever Somewhat hot-headed and thrasonical— Or do you hold with him the scholar’s gown Has smother’d all the native soldiery That saucy so-call’d honour to itself Alone mis-arrogates? You are deceived: I am like you by birth a gentleman, Under like obligation to the laws Of that true honour, which my books indeed May help distinguish from its counterfeit, But, older as I am, have yet not chill’d From catching fire at any just affront— And let me tell you this too—those same books, Ancient and modern, tell of many a hand That, turning most assiduously the leaf, When the time came, could wield as well the sword. I am unarm’d: but you, with all your swords, I say you shall not turn them on each other Till you have told me what the quarrel is; Which after hearing if I own for one That honour may not settle with good word, I pledge my own to leave it to the sword. Now, Lelio!—