University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

A Wood, thro' which is seen the Christian Camp.
Enter Hellena and Cleora in Mens Apparel.
Cle.
Where are we Princess! whither will you wander?

Hel.
We've gain'd the utmost Summit of the Mountain.
I hear the neigh of Horses—See'st thou not
Those Lights that glimmer thro' the Trees, Cleora?
The Christain Camp's before us.

Cle.
Righteous Allah! the Christian Camp!—

Hel.
'Tis thither I am bound.

Cle.
Distraction!

Hel.
I am determined.

Cle.
Hear me, Princess!
Once take the Counsel of your faithful Slave,
And yet return before our Flight be known.

Hel.
O! no, Cleora! I must ne'er return.

Cle.
Then in your Father's Empire let us seek
Some far remote and unfrequented Village;
Where thus disguis'd, you may remain unknown
To all, but me; 'till Death shall end your Sorrows.
Why are you come to find new Dangers here?
Alas! I thought you only fled Amasie.

Hel.
Why shou'd I fly from him? in his Despite
I cou'd have died, ev'n in my Father's Arms.
Death, ever at my Call, had been a sure
Defence from his more loath'd Embraces. Gentle Maid,
Think it not hard, that I've conceal'd from thee
My real Intention, 'till 'twas past thy Power,
Had'st thou the Inclination to prevent it.

Cle.
Break, break my Heart, for I've liv'd too long,
Since I'm suspected by my Royal Mistress.

Hel.
I fear'd thy fond Affection wou'd have weigh'd
Each Danger with too scrupulous a Hand.
I know 'twill strike thee with the last Amazement
To hear I've left the Bosom of a Father,
How e'er severe to others kind to me,
To seek his mortal Foe.

Cle.
Your Reason's lost.

Hel.
No; I remember well the Terrors past,
And count on those to come; both worse than Death.
Conscious of my weak Sex, with all its Fears,
To pass by Night thro' Camps of hostile Men,
And urge the Presence of that awful Prince,
My Soul in secret has so long ador'd—
When I shall see him, shou'd his piercing Eye
Trace me thro' my Disguise!—O my Cleora!
Will not my falt'ring Tongue, my crimson Cheeks,
My panting Heart and trembling Limbs betray me?
What think'st thou? Say; shall I not die with Shame
When I wou'd speak, and leave my Tale untold.

Cle.
These and a Thousand Difficulties more
Oppose your Purpose; then in Time retire.

Hel.
No more; away; my Resolutions fixt.
The Glory and the Danger's both before me,
And both are mine—you were necessary
To my Escape—That's past—'Tis true indeed,
Your Service has by far excell'd my Bounty:
Here take these Jewels, and go seek thy Safety;
I can pursue my Purpose by myself.

Enter Paulinus, with a Guard; who come from the farther Part of the Stage to the Front and stand listening for some Time;
Cle.
O how have I deserv'd this cruel Usage?
If I've discover'd any Signs of Fear,
'Twas never for myself—Go where you please,
I'll follow you to Death.

Hei.
Kind, faithful Maid—
Wherefore shou'd I involve thee in my Ruin?

Cle.
'Tis Ruin to forsake you.

Hel.
Mine is certain;
Thou may'st have many happy Years to come.

Pau.
Stand, there.—Who are you?—Answer to the Guard.

Hel.
Fatal Surprize! what must we answer?

Cle.
Friends.

Pau.
Make it appear—this Instant—Give the Word.
—Silent—Some Spies sent from the Sultan's Camp.
Lest favour'd by the Darkness of the Night,
The Traytors shou'd Escape guard ev'ry Passage.

Hel.
Scanderbeg must die.

(Guards surround them)
Off.
Not by the Hand
If mine can aim aright, thou bloody Villain!

[Wounds Hellena. She falls.
Hel.
Untimely Fate!

Cle.
Where are you?

Hel.
Here on the Earth.

Cle.
You're wounded then?

Hel.
Alas! to Death, Cleora.

Cle.
Prophet, I do not charge you with Injustice;
But I must grieve, and wonder Things are thus.

Hel.
Too hasty Death, cou'dst thou not stay a little,
Little longer; the Business of my Life
Had soon been done, and I had come to thee.

Pau.
Moving Sounds! I fear you've been too rash.
Ill fated Youths, who are you, and from whence?
What dire Misfortune brought you to this Place?

Hel.
It matters not, who, or from whence we are;
But as you prize pour Royal Master's Life,
Conduct me to him strait: mine ebbs apace,
Yet on its short Duration his depends.

Pau.
Your Adjuration is of such a Force,
His own Commands wou'd scarce oblige me more.
Sir, I'll attend you.

Hel.
All you fleeting Powers,
Sight, Speech and Motion; O! forsake me not
So near my Journey's End; assist me to
Perform this only Task, and take your flight for ever.