 | The Regicide : Or, James the First, of Scotland |  |
SCENE I.
A Convent in Perth.Angus, Dunbar.
Dunbar.
But that my Duty calls, I would decline
Th'unwelcome Office.—Now, when Justice waves
Her flaming Sword, and loudly claims her Due,
Thus to arrest her Arm, and offer Terms
Of Peace to Traitors who avow their Crime,
Is to my Apprehension weak, and suits
But little with the Majesty of Kings.—
Why sleeps the wonted Valour of our Prince?
Angus.
Not to th'ensanguin'd Field of Death alone
Is Valour limited: She sits serene
2
The Source of Action; weighs, prevents, provides,
And scorns to count her Glories, from the Feats
Of brutal Force alone,—
—What Frenzy were it
To risk our Fortune on th'unsure Event
Of one Occurrence, naked as we are
To unforeseen Disaster, when the Terms
We proffer may retard th'impending Blow?
—Better to conquer by Delay: The Rage
Of Athol's fierce Adherents, flush'd with Hope
Of Plunder and Revenge, will soon abate,
And ev'ry Hour bring Succour to our Cause.
Dunbar.
Well ha'st thou taught me, how the piercing Eye
Of calm Sagacity, excels the Dint
Of headstrong Resolution.—Yet, my Soul
Pants for a fair Occasion to revenge
My Father's Wrongs on Athol's impious Head!
Yes, Angus, while the Blood of March revolves
Within my Veins, the Traitor shall not find
His Perfidy forgot—But what of this?
What are my private Injuries, compar'd
To those he meditates against the State!
Against a Prince with ev'ry Virtue grac'd
That dignifies the Throne, to whom the Ties
Of Kindred and Allegiance could not bind
His faithless Heart: Not ev'n the sacred Bond
Of Friendship unreserv'd!—For well thou know'st,
The King securely list'ned to his Voice,
As to an Oracle.
Angus.
'Twas there indeed
He triumph'd in his Guile!—Th'unwary Prince
Sooth'd by his false Professions, crown'd his Guilt
With boundless Confidence; and little thought
That very Confidence supply'd his Foe
3
His royal Kinsman thro' the dang'rous Path
Of sudden Reformation, and observ'd
What Murmurs issu'd from the giddy Croud;
Each popular Commotion he improv'd
By secret Ministers; and disavow'd
Those very Measures he himself devised!
Thus cherish'd long by his flagitious Arts,
Rebellion glow'd in secret, 'till at length
His Scheme mature, and all our loyal Thanes
At their own distant Homes repos'd secure,
The Flame burst out.—Now from his native Hills,
With his Accomplice Grime, and youthful Heir,
Impet'ous Stuart, like a sounding Storm
He rushes down with five revolting Clans;
Displays a spurious Title to the Crown,
Arraigns the Justice of his Monarch's Sway,
And by this sudden Torrent, means, no doubt,
To sweep him from the Throne.
Dunbar.
Aspiring Villain!
A fit Associate has he chose: A Wretch
Of Soul more savage breathes not vital Air,
Than Grime:—But Stuart 'till of late, maintain'd
A fairer Fame.
Angus.
A cherish'd Hope expires
In his Dishonour too!—While Stuart's Ear
Was deaf to vicious Counsel, and his Soul
Remained unshaken, by th'enchanting Lure
Which vain Ambition spread before his Eye,
He bloom'd the Pride of Caledonia's Youth,
In Virtue, Valour and external Grace:—
For thou sole Rival of his Fame, wa'st train'd
To martial Deeds, in Climes remote.
4
O Thane!
Whatever Wreaths from Danger's Steely Crest
My Sword hath won; whatever Toils sustain'd
Beneath the sultry Noon, and cold, damp Night;
Could ne'er obtain for me one genial Smile
Of Her, who bless'd that happy Rival's Vows
With mutual Love!—Why should I dread to own
The tender Throbbings of my captive Heart!
The melting Passion which has long inspir'd
My Breast for Eleonora, and implore
A Parent's Sanction to support my Claim?
Angus.
Were she more fair and gentle than she is,
And to my partial Eye, nought e'er appear'd
So gently fair, I would approve thy Claim
To her peculiar Smiles.
Dunbar.
Then will I strive
With unremitted Ardour, to subdue
Her coy Reluctance; while I scorn the Threats
Of frantic Jealousy that flames unrein'd
In Stuart's Breast!—But see! the fair one comes,
In all the Pride of dazz'ling Charms array'd.
| The Regicide : Or, James the First, of Scotland | |