[De duobus amantibus Euryalo et Lucretia]

and receives himself inside; and with the doors locked, he sees Lucretia alone, intent upon her silk. And sitting nearer, "Greetings, my soul," he says, "greetings, my only protection of life and my hope. Now I have found you alone. Now, what I have often wished, I embrace you with witnesses removed; no wall now, no distance stands against my eyes." Lucretia, who would have given everything in order, was stunned by the familiar conversation, nor did she think she was seeing Eurialus there, as she did not convince herself that a man so far from her would come. But when, amidst embraces and kisses, she recognized her Eurialus, "Are you here, my poor man? Are you here, Eurialus?" And with a blush spread over her face, she embraced the man more tightly and looked at him in the middle of his brow. "Why do you repeat this conversation? Alas, to how great a danger have I subjected you! What more shall I say? I know already that you are most dear to me. I have already made a test of your love. But you will not find me otherwise; may the gods only make the fates favorable and give a prosperous outcome to our love. While a spirit rules these limbs, no one will be dearer to Lucretia than you. Not even a husband, if I rightly call him a husband, who was given to me against my will and to whom my soul never consented. But come, my pleasure, my delight, throw away this sack; show yourself to me as you are. Put aside the victor's hope and put away these clothes. Grant me to see Eurialus." Already he, having deposited the filth, was shining in his purple garment, and was returning to the duty of love. Then "Are you alone, or does an enemy strike?" "Beware," said the lovers, "I do not know what kind of things you seek. Menelaus is hurrying here; cover the thefts, deceive the man with tricks. There is nothing that you should think of leaving." Then Lucretia, "There is a hiding place inside, which is under the mattress; there are some small boxes there. You know what I had written to you. If a man were to pull you away from my sight, enter here; you will be safe in these shadows. Do not move, nor clear your throat." Eurialus is in doubt what to do, he submits to the impiety of the woman. She returns to the servant with the doors opened outside. Then Menelaus and Servius are present, about to seek some documents pertaining to the republic. Which, after they were not found in any cabinets, "Perhaps they will be in our hiding place," says Menelaus, "bring a light; it must be sought in here." Terrified by these words, Eurialus becomes bloodless and begins to think that Lucretia has perished. And within himself, "Alas, fool that I am," he says, "what compelled me to come here? Was it not my lightness? Now I am caught, now I become infamous, now I lose the grace of Caesar. What grace? I am dead while alive. Who will take me out of here alive? It is certain that I will die. O vain me, and the most foolish of all fools. I fell into this sewer willingly, which is what the joys of love are. They are only drained. That pleasure is brief, and the pains are very long. O end