 | Earl Douglas ; Or, Generosity Betray'd |  |
SCENE IV.
Earl DOUGLAS and Sir DAVID.Douglas.
O brother! O my soul's far dearer half!
Why are these eyes cast down? that lovely face
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It grieves my soul to see thee seem but sad.
A friend's the brother of our choice, but heav'n
In thee has chosen me the kindest friend.
Come to my ardent breast, and let us swear
Indissoluble friendship; endless love.
Sir David Douglas.
By all that's fear'd, or hop'd, or lov'd, by man,
Nothing shall e'er divide this breast from thine.
Whatever fate bestows, with thee I'll share,
In life, in death, inseparable still.
Douglas.
Spare oaths, for friendship's wrought thro' all thy soul,
Alike we joy to bless the human kind.
But, ah! how impotent is human power!
Sir David.
Each knave plants ills that thrive to many an age;
Nor can the gen'rous Patriot root them up,
And bid the blessings they expell'd re-bloom.
Douglas.
What I can do, I will; and never more
Did our dear country claim the Patriot's care.
Through all the day for her my heart is pain'd;
By night in dreams I hear her genius mourn,
And seek a Douglas to relieve her woes.
My sires rise glorious in their mighty deeds,
And, frowning on me, ask why Scotia's groans
Disturb their rest, while I their honour's Heir?
Ye venerable shades! I'll heir your worth.
To me, my country shall not sigh in vain:
'Mong her assembled Peers, I'll be the first
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Forgive my wrongs; and make the rest forgive.
Sir David Douglas.
The wrongs they've done, could foes as well forgive,
All might be well; but villains ever fear,
And dread the vengeance of the injur'd brave.
Douglas.
My honest soul all low suspicion scorns.
Sir David.
In happy time our guardian has return'd,
When much we need his sage experienc'd counsel.
Douglas.
Well merits he our confidence and love;
Our father's dearest friend; our second father;
Who, skill'd in all the Greek and Roman wisdom,
Joins to the sage the Patriot and the Hero.
| Earl Douglas ; Or, Generosity Betray'd | |