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50 behind the ſuppoſed captain, who had his inſtructions not to let her ſee the next morning dawn. Antonio and Fronovius pretended much ſorrow at her departure; but inwardly rejoiced, that, by this ſtratagem, they could get her eaſily into the trap, without noiſe and diſturbance; which had they gone about to do by force, her cries might have brought reſcue, and prevented their villainous purpoſes. The curſed prieſt indeed, would have firſt raviſhed her by himſelf and his companion, and then murdered her at home; but the other, conſidering that it would be difficult to diſpoſe of the body, contrived this way: But I muſt leave them for ſome time, hugging themſelves in their ſecurity, and follow the deceived innocent.

The bloody cut-throats having got the prize, by her too much credulity, into their poſſeſſion, took all the by-ways they could, croſſing the country, and holding her in diſcourſe with many things relating to the war, and ſo ſpun out the time, till the fun was near ſetting, when, coming into a valley between two vaſt woods, in a place much unfrequented, they rode into one of them, at a turning of a narrow way, where the ſuppoſed captain ſtopped; and the ruffian that rode ſingle, alighted, and ſuddenly pulled Deidamia from behind him; who, at ſo unexpected a rudeneſs, trembled, and began to ſuſpect the treachery; nor was the other ſlow in diſmounting, when both carried her farther into the wood. Upon this, with piteous ſhrieks and cries, ſhe demanded the cauſe of ſuch violence; but, without replying, the villain who had carried her, drawing his ſword, directed it for the fatal thruſt, deſigning inſtantly to pierce her heart; whilſt, on her knees, ſhe was