University of Virginia Library

SCENE the First.

Scipio
solus.
The Toils of Battle past, new Toils succeed,
My Breast is now the Theatre of War:
Methinks my Blood forgets its proper Course,
Seems all Congeal'd and Curdled in my Veins;
Something within me whispers, it is Love,
The raging Force of secret, growing Love:
Gods! did I 'scape Mars and Bellona's Rage
In Battle, to be subject to a Boy,
And fall a Victim to the Snares of Beauty?
This Captive, lovely through the Veil of Grief,
Makes deep Impression in my ravish'd Heart,
And crowds in every Thought.—But see, she comes,
Sweet as Aurora, when from Eastern Clouds
She darts, to give the World a New-Born Day.

Enter Almeyda.
Alm.
Is there a Day, a Night, within the Date
Of Humane Life, untainted with an Ill?
If now we form a Scheme of mighty Pleasure,
Boast in the Prospect of approaching Bliss,
Anon we lose the Momentary Joy,
As with an Airy Phantome of a Dream,
Rich in the Night, but empty in the Morn,
We find our selves deceiv'd, the envious Pow'rs
Repent their Favours, and retract their Gifts.

Scip.
Still, Beauteous Maid, must that Angelick Form
[Scipio turning to her.
Be cover'd o'er with the pale sickly Hue
Of Discontent? And doth the barb'rous Sense
Of thy unhappy Fortune still continue
To press so hard upon thy tender Bosom?
Still must those Watry Pearls descend so fast
From their bright Orbs, like Evening Dews, that fall
T'improve the Beauties of the Morning Flow'rs?
Declare, if Scipio hath neglected ought
Which might conduce to mitigate these Woes.

Alm.
No, Sir, my grateful Heart must ever own
That you have us'd me nobly, and been kind
(E'en to excess of Kindness,) but alas!
What is that Kindness to a Wretch like me?
Plung'd in this Gulph, what Joys can I expect?
How be Reliev'd, when I am all Despair?
Oh my lost Love!

[Aside.
Scip.
But why do you resolve
To Feast on Sorrows, and indulge your Griefs?
Why thus reserv'd, thus Cruel to your self,
Concealing Ills, which, when deny'd a vent,
And lab'ring inward, but disturb you more?
Tell me, Almeyda, I conjure you, tell me
The fatal Cause, and Scipio will redress.

Alm.
Ask me not what I dare not to reveal;
Or when reveal'd, Heav'n only can reverse.

Scip.
And sure the Gods will never be unkind,
Deaf, and relentless to the tender Pray'rs
Of supplicating Beauty—Hark! what Noise,
As if some Tumult from the distant Camp.
[Shout of Souldiers.
Madam, a Gen'rals Duty calls me forth
At present, to discharge th'important Trust,
To quell Disorders in their Birth, and then
Almeyda claims my quick Return.
(Exit. Scip.

Enter Phænissa.
Alm.
So, my Phænissa, in thy Hast appears
Important News; thy better Looks declare,
In outward shew some great uncommon Joy.

Phæ.
It is a Joy Phænissa brings, a Joy,
Which will restore the Springs of sinking Nature;
Alucius is alive—
Unmangled by the Bloody Strokes of War,
And only wretched in his sever'd Love.

Alm.
Such Transports rush upon me from thy Words,
That I can scarce endure the rapid Pain;
My Mind's dissolv'd in unexpected Bliss,
The Gloomy Clouds of Horror are dispers'd,
And everlasting Day now dawns around me.
Speak, speak, my best Phænissa, oh speak on!
Repeat the balmy Comfort to my Ears;
Assure me I shall see him once again.

Phæ.
Within this Hour, a Private Messenger
Found means to gain Admittance to this Tent,
Enquiring for Almeyda—
At first I was surpriz'd; ask'd him from whom,
From whence he came? he said from one unknown
To all but her; I told him, that my self
Was Friend and Partner of Almeyda's Fate,
Nor unacquainted with her Love; he then
Freely reveal'd the most Delightful News;
Told me Alucius sent him to inform
Almeyda that he liv'd; liv'd (if the Gods permit)
To rescue his Almeyda from her Bonds.

Alm.
Phænissa, 'tis too much, the swelling Joys,
The big encreasing Extasies are too
Too violent for Woman to sustain;
Yet prithee tell me, will Alucius come
To free Almeyda? Yes, thou saidst he would.
But why, Almeyda, if thou lov'st the Prince,
Why shouldst thou urge his Ruin? But 'tis Love
That prompts him to so hazardous an Act;
'Tis the same Love that forces my Consent,
And thus extorts my Wishes.

Phæ.
As your Loves
Are thus unsullied, constant and sincere,
So trust me, you will soon be happy both,
And reap the Blessings of a Faithful Flame;
Soon as the Sun shall in the West decline,
In Roman Habit thy Alucius comes.

Alm.
Then Sun drive on, drive on in full Career,
And let thy fiery Coursers, fleet as Winds,
Guide the immortal Chariot round the Sphere,
With more than Common, with a Lover's Speed.
For that blest Hour shall both our Joys compleat,
Make mine as Happy, as thy own, as Great,
When you retiring to your Thetis' Charms,
Revel on Love, and wanton in her Arms;
Then blest Almeyda shall behold her Lord,
Whom she so long hath Lov'd, so long Ador'd.

[Exeunt.