 | Tancred and Sigismunda |  |
SCENE II.
Osmond. Siffredi.Osmond.
My Lord Siffredi,
I from the Council hasten'd to Constantia,
And have accomplish'd what we there propos'd.
The Princess to the Will submits her Claims.
She with her Presence means to grace the Senate,
And of your royal Charge young Tancred's Hand
Accept. At first indeed, it shock'd her Hopes
Of reigning sole, this new surprizing Scene
Of Manfred's Son, appointed by the King
With Her Joint-Heir—But I so fully shew'd
The Justice of the Case, the publick Good
And sure establish'd Peace which thence would rise,
Join'd to the strong Necessity that urg'd her,
If on Sicilia's Throne she meant to sit,
As to the wise Disposal of the Will
Her high Ambition tam'd. Methought, besides,
I could discern that not from Prudence meerly
She to this Choice submitted.
Siffredi.
Noble Osmond,
You have in this done to the Publick great
And signal Service. Yes, I must avow it;
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In such a trying Crisis of the State,
When Interest and Ambition might have warp'd
Your Views; I own, this truly generous Virtue
Upbraids the Rashness of my former Judgment.
Osmond.
Siffredi, no.—To you belongs the Praise;
The glorious Work is yours. Had I not seiz'd,
Improv'd the wish'd Occasion to root out
Division from the Land, and save my Country,
I had been base, been infamous for ever.
'Tis You, my Lord, to whom the many Thousands,
That by the barbarous Sword of Civil War
Had fallen inglorious, owe their Lives; to You
The Sons of this fair Isle, from her first Peers
Down to the Swain who tills her golden Plains,
Owe their safe Homes, their soft domestick Hours,
And thro' late Time Posterity shall bless you,
You who advis'd this Will—I blush to think,
I have so long oppos'd the best good Man
In Sicily—With what impartial Care
Ought we to watch o'er Prejudice and Passion,
Nor trust too much the jaundic'd Eye of Party!
Henceforth it's vain Delusions I renounce,
It's hot Determinations, that confine
All Merit and all Virtue to itself.
To yours I join my Hand; with you will own
No Interest and no Party but my Country.
Nor is your Friendship only my Ambition:
There is a dearer Name, the Name of Father,
By which I should rejoice to call Siffredi.
Your Daughter's Hand would to the Publick Weal
Unite my private Happiness.
Siffredi.
My Lord,
You have my glad Consent. To be allied
To your distinguish'd Family, and Merit,
I shall esteem an Honour. From my Soul
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And Son.
Osmond.
You make him happy. This Assent,
So frank and warm, to what I long have wish'd,
Engages all my Gratitude; at once,
In the first Blossom, it matures our Friendship.
I from this Moment vow myself the Friend,
And zealous Servant of Siffredi's House.
Enter an Officer belonging to the Court.
Officer
to Siffredi.
The King, my Lord, demands your speedy Presence.
Siffredi.
I will attend him strait—Farewel, my Lord:
The Senate meets; there, a few Moments hence,
I will rejoin you.
Osmond.
There, my noble Lord,
We will compleat this salutary Work,
Will there begin a new auspicious Era.
| Tancred and Sigismunda | |