Whose inmost soul she knew; and surely she
Is fitted most to fill her husband’s throne,
She, whom maternal tenderness inspires,
Will watch incessant o’er her lovely son
And best pursue her dear Laurentius’ plans.
Pompilius warns the Queen of the plot of Gordinus, and persuades her to entrust her son Florus to his care in a sylvan retreat. Thither also Laurentius comes in disguise; for, after landing as a forlorn survivor, he hears of dangerous novelties that had poisoned men’s minds and seduced the army from allegiance to the Queen. Pompilius, while visiting the royal heir, sees and recognizes Laurentius, brings him to Florus, and prepares to overthrow the traitors. In due course the King’s adherents defeat the forces of Gordinus, who is slain by Laurentius himself, while Pompilius, his standard bearer, kills another arch-conspirator. The King grants a general pardon in these lines:
Us it behoves, to whom by gracious Heav’n
The cares of nations and of States are giv’n—
Us it behoves with clemency to sway
That glorious sceptre which the gods bestow.