which the king immediately ordered; and, the queen being brought, the king commanded, that one of the most noble Lords should read the scroll, which accordingly he did, the words it contained being there:
Suspicion is no proof, and jealousy
Is an unequal judge this cause to try:
Bellaria is a chaste and virtuous queen;
And in Egistus there no blame was seen;
What Franion did, was murder to prevent,
And save their lives who both were innocent,
| Pandosta's treach'rous, and his thoughts are vain, And shall ere long, without an heir remain, Unless the child that's lost be found again. |
No sooner was the scroll read, but the people gave a mighty shout, to testify their joy for the queen's being cleared of these crimes she was so falsely accused of. This infallible decision of the oracle, which the king's own conscience knew to be a true one, so confounded him, that for a good while he could not hold up his head. But at last entreating the nobles to intercede for him to Bellaria, that she should no more remember the injuries she had suffered from him, that his future carriage should convince her how much he would endeavour to make amends, by not only being a loving husband to her, but also reconciling himself to Egistus and Franion; he, thereupon freely declared what had passed between Franion and himself, with respect to Egistus, testifying his grief and sorrow for it. But scarce had he made an end of speaking, when one like a distracted person enters, and acquaints the king and queen, that the young prince Garinter was dead, which was no sooner heard by Bellaria, but oppressed by two
