Tullia.
Thou couldst with one hand ward off so powerful a catapult?
Ottavia.
Yea. “O naughty man,” would I say, “why dost thou annoy me thus? Let me go, if thou lovest me: by what crime have I deserved this torture?” And tears flowed from my eyes: but such was the state of my mind, that I did not even dare open my mouth or utter a cry to call for help.
Tullia.
Withal Caviceo did not even pierce thee with his lance[91]? it did not enter into thy trench[91]?
Ottavia.
I seized it and held it aside, but unlucky event! I felt myself completely drenched with a regular shower like fire, and, naked as I was, wet up to the navel. I put my hand to it again; but when falling on that sort of slimy fluid with which the mad fellow had flooded me, my hand recoiled from fright and horror.
Tullia.
Therefore neither was he vanquished nor thou victorious, since he was very near carrying off a real victory.