University of Virginia Library

Scene III.

Scene changes.
Enter Florimel
Florimel.
Ye pow'rs! that watch o'er virgin innocence,
Guard & protect Me!

[To her enter The Fairy Queen.]
Queen.
That Pow'r is here.

Florimel.
What may this mean, that ready to my pray'r
Such Form divine, for sure divine thou art,
Appear to aid me?

F. Queen.
'Tis the Fairy Queen:
Who at thy birth did welcome thee to life,
And gave thee the first blessing—kept aloof
Each Fairy-Elf, & those pernicious pow'rs
That often sport with Mortals soon as born,
And cast the die of their Nativity.
I husht the storms to rest at thy first breath:
Dispel'd the mirky-mists, & calm'd the Air;
And shed upon thy head the dew of heav'n.
Unseen thy infant steps have I attended;
Watch'd thee in play, & wiped from thine eye
The tears which wayward Childhood wont to shed.
Thee still I guard with the same tender care.
And 'midst the trials which thou must endure,
To prove thy steady Virtue, I'll infuse
My sov'reign Influence—try'd thou must be:
Virtue is nought, till resolute Resistance,
Prove its full strength—then conquest crowns the Conflict.

Florimel.
All gracious Pow'r! what merit can I claim
To be the object of thy high protection?
And what am I, that thou, the powerful Queen,
Deign thus to guard, protect, & succour Me?

F. Queen.
The Powers above ordain it.—Learn thy Fate.
If thou by trial shalt approve thyself;
And thy beloved Lord return from toil,
His Enemies subdu'd, he plum'd with conquest;
(As in firm faith I trust he will) and give
Proof of his prowess & exalted Virtue;
Your hands shall link in holiest Union:
And from that union mighty Princes rise
To bless the People over whom they reign,
And in their blessings find their own secur'd:
The sov'reign bliss of Kings!

Florimel.
Immortal Powers!
Bless Me in what I am, & what I shall be.
Frame Me to your high purpose by your aid:
And Make Me worthy of your Ordinance,
By Virtues Mortals ought, or can perform.

F. Queen.
Nor less thy present state demands that pray'r
Than doth thy future exaltation need it.
For such the Mortal Frame, when plac'd on high,
Like the tall Column pointing to the skies,
It asks those firm supports & Buttresses,
Which Edifices humbler do not need.—
Thus then I shed my infl'ence o'er thy heart,
And give my benediction on thy head. [waving her Wand]

Be true, & firm,—& leave the rest to Heav'n.

Exit.
Florimel.