Damon and Pythias A Tragedy, In Five Acts |
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Scene I.
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 | Damon and Pythias |  |
Scene I.
—A Temple of Hymen.Pythias and Calanthe discovered with Arria, Guests, Priests, and Virgins—Pythias holding Calanthe's hand.
Hymn. 1st. Priest and 1st. Virgin.
Thou beneath whose holy smile
Lips may meet, and not defile,
And hands and hearts together cling,
Fearless of shame and sorrowing:
The vows we offer, Hymen, hear;
Record the oath thy votaries swear;
Bless the hands that now are plight,
And sanctify the nuptial rite!
Chorus.
Bless the hands that now are plight,
And sanctify the nuptial rite!
1st. Priest.
Thou, who turn'st to holy fire
The sinful blaze of young desire.
1st. Virgin.
Thou, whose hand-maid virtues deck
The bridal flowers for beauty's neck,
That the fond maid as blest may be,
And meet his wooing modestly.
Chorus.
Bless the hands that now are plight,
And sanctify the nuptial rite!
Thou beneath whose holy smile
Lips may meet, and not defile,
And hands and hearts together cling,
Fearless of shame and sorrowing:
The vows we offer, Hymen, hear;
Record the oath thy votaries swear;
Bless the hands that now are plight,
And sanctify the nuptial rite!
Chorus.
Bless the hands that now are plight,
And sanctify the nuptial rite!
1st. Priest.
Thou, who turn'st to holy fire
The sinful blaze of young desire.
1st. Virgin.
Thou, whose hand-maid virtues deck
The bridal flowers for beauty's neck,
That the fond maid as blest may be,
And meet his wooing modestly.
Chorus.
Bless the hands that now are plight,
And sanctify the nuptial rite!
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Pyth.
Hold! hush your songs of Hymen, for I hear
A raven's croaking, that discordantly
Breaks in upon your joyous melody!
(To Luc.)
Where, sirrah, where? Where shall I speak with him?
Luc.
He did desire, my lord, that I should lead you.
Pyth.
And not say where?
Luc.
It was his charge, my lord.
Pyth.
In one word, say the hour and place of this,
Or—ha! I see it in thine eye—his life,
His life is forfeit—he is doom'd to death!
Luc.
Alas! my lord.
Pyth.
O, by the gods, it is so!
And like a selfish coward did I stand,
And saw him rush and singly front himself
Against a host, when it was evident,
As is the universal light of day,
He must have perish'd in't—Coward! coward!
He would not thus have done!
Luc.
My lord,—
Pyth.
Speak not.
I know thou would'st admonish me to speed,
Or see him dead.
Cal.
Pythias!
Arria.
Where would'st thou go?
Would you yet more insult us?
Cal.
Pythias!
Pyth.
Now let me go—away, I say!
Cal.
Pythias!
Pyth.
I say unloose me, or, by all—
Thou art as guilty, with thy blandishments,
That did provoke this ruin, as I am
For being tempted by thee!—Woman, away!
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Unkind one!
Pyth.
Ha! thou weepest!—O, Calanthe!
Forgive me—pity me—I am desperate!
I know not what I do—but— (Embraces her.)
—O Calanthe,
There is a horrid fate that tears me hence.
Now, sirrah, lead me on!—Away! away!
(Rushes out with Lucullus.
[Scene closes on the rest.
| Damon and Pythias | |