 | The Christian Hero |  |
SCENE I.
Christian Camp.Enter Scanderbeg: Amasie in Chains, Paulinus, &c.
Scan.
Cou'd Love, that fills each honest, gen'rous Breast
With double Ardor to excel in Vertue,
Conclude, thou Wretch! what Malice first begun,
And finish thee a Villain? Thou wou'dst die—
We'll disappoint thee—Live, tortur'd with Guilt,
A Terror to thyself: Or let the Sultan,
The vile Abettor of thy Crimes, reward thee;
We know no Punishment to suit thy Guilt.
This is a Christian Land. Our Laws were made
For Men, not Monsters.—Take him from my Sight.
'Tis needless to repeat that by Hostility,
(Exit Amasie.
Of the worst Kind, our faithless Enemies
Have broke the Truce. We're now again prepar'd
Once more to prove the Fortune of our Arms;
And try by honest Force, seeing all Treaties
With such perfidious Men are vain, to free
Our Captive Friends, and drive these fierce Destroyers
From Epirus. Paulinus with your Squadrons
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T'amuse the Foe, and draw their Force that way;
Then I'll, with the remaining Troops, assault
Th' East; where doubly intrench'd the Royal Tents,
The Prison of Althea and her Father,
Raise their aspiring Heads. I need not say,
Acquit yourselves like Men; I know you well;
Nor spur you on with Hopes of promis'd Wealth.
I have no useless Stores of hoarded Gold.
My Revenues, you know, have been the Spoils
Of vanquish'd Foes; these I have shar'd amongst you.
Wou'd you have more? Our Enemies have enough:
Subdue your Foes, and satisfy yourselves.
Let each commit himself to that just Power,
Who still has been our Guide and sure Defence.
Be valiant, not presumptuous. Seek his Aid,
Who by our Weakness magnifies his Strength.
Now follow me, my fellow Soldiers, and remember
You fight the Cause of Liberty and Truth,
drawing his Sword.
Your Native Land, Aranthes and Althea.
All.
Huzza! Liberty! Justice! Aranthes and Althea!
(Exeunt.
| The Christian Hero | |