University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Changes to the Inside of the Temple.
Guinoenda, Queen and Attendants with a Bowl. &c.
Queen.
False is your Grief for what you most desire;
Common delusive Arts of Woman kind,
Ill therefore hid from me. Your boasted Love
Avoids this test, where subtle Art is vain;
The pow'r you know is mine; within my hands:
Your husbands Life, a forfeit to that Pow'r,
And only for your sake, your Guilt in danger.
If therefore you this Minute drink this Bowl
Rhesus is free, if not this Moment ends him.

Guin.
Swear by the God then of this awful Temple,
Who, if thou art perjur'd, may revenge me on thee,
He shall be free, as soon as I have drank it.

Queen.
I swear by Hermes, Rhesus shall be free
When thou hast drank it.

Guin.
Hast, and give it me.
[They give her the Bowl.
O! Pow'rs severe! let here your Anger cease;
Your Indignation let my Death appease;
Pursue no farther my unhappy Race!
Give me the welcome draught, that ends my Woes,
And gives my Rhesus Life.
[she drinks.
This is a Cordial to my sickly Fortunes.

Qu.
And to mine.—since, by my superiour Genius,
Thou now art fal'n, thy Rhesus shall be free,
But free for me;—
For know I love him, and he shall be mine.
Let that torment thee.—

Guin.
If he be free, that fear will ne'r disturb me:
For well I know the torture will be thine,
If it be true, that thou do'st love him; for
He will loath thy Love.

Queen.
Believe not that, my Charms are not so weak.

Guin.
Too weak you'l find to win a heart from me.

Queen.
Oh! be not vain of my fond Husbands Dotage;
Nor think I shine with such a beamless fire,
But I can warm your Rhesus to desire.
Tho' my dull King my pointed Charms declin'd,
'Twas thro' the baseness of his vulgar Mind,
For my excess of Brightness made him blind.
Like bird Obscene, he took his guilty flight,
From my fierce day to thy bleak dusky Night;
Pleas'd with thy sickly Rays of inoffensive Light.
But Rhesus like the Royal Bird of Jove,
When from thy Gloom, he sees Me roll above,
Will shoot, with Joy, up to my Sun of Love.

Guin.
Let him be happy, and I have my Aim.

Queen.
Can you so calmly then resign your Claim?
No, no, thro' this I your Despair can see.

Guin.
That's only by the guilty felt, like thee.
Why does thy feeble Malice toil in vain?
Thou hurts not me with all thy bootless Pain.
Unable my impassive Mind to wound,
Back on thy self th'envenom'd darts rebound.
The Shrubs below thee may thy Tempest fear,
I move above thee in too high a Sphere.
Survey beneath me thy vain Storm of Soul,
And smile to see thy Mimic Thunders roll.

Queen.
O! pompous Shew of Virtue not thy own!
O! fulsome dawb too artlesly laid on!
Thro' the disguise thy swarthy Soul appears;
Thy awker'd Courage but betrays thy Fears
To leave him here with me, while thou must go
Deserted to the dismal Shades below.

Guin.
Oh! I shall go where thou shalt never come,
By Crimes secure of a severer Doom.
Thy drossy Soul sinks to profoundest Hell,
And there 'mid fiery Floods, and shud'ring Ice must dwel;
No respit to thy Pains, thro' all the Round,
Of vast Eternity will e're be found.
While I pass forward to those blest Abodes,
Where Souls refine, and ripen into Gods.
Wait there a while the coming of my Love,
Then with united Virtue upward move,
Together, to the starry Realms above.—
But I shou'd husband better my last breath;
This scantling Moment lent by Miser Death,
To begg the Gods, that they when I am dead,
Wou'd show'r their Blessings on my Rhesus's head;
Against all Evils wou'd his Guardians be;
Against the worst of Evils, against thee.

Turns from her and goes and kneels down at the Altar.
Queen.
What art thou gone? stay I command thee stay,
I will not let thee have the Ease to pray;
I will not leave thee till I've seen thee die,
Before my feet beheld thee gasping lie,
And with th'expir'ing Pangs, have fed my longing Eye.

Enter Messenger.
3. Mess.
Madam
The doubtful Issue of the War's decided.
The King is dead, and Oh! that I cou'd say
The King alone!

Queen.
Hold—if what thou hast to say,
Be not so pleasing, let me never hear it.
In one blest Moment both my foes destroy'd!
My Barrs to happiness; my Source of Pain!
As yet I have no motive of Complaint.
I see a boding grief fixt on thy Brow,
That checks my Joy, and with a sullen gloom,
Foretells a tempest near, to wreck this Joy.
Well let it break—the hideous burst must come,
And fate has arm'd me 'gainst the dreadful Blow.
Thou wert still hear my Father; say, where is he?
How does he? is he well? Conquers? or is vanquish'd?

Mess.
Alas! I fear to tell, what you must know,
He's dead!

Queen.
Ha! blasted be thy tongue, as my hopes are!
The Arm, that slew him, and that Coward Herd
That did so ill defend his Godlike Life!

Mess.
Your Curses are forestall'd, the King, who slew him,
Fell next himself: And conquering Rhesus comes
To bear his Queen in triumph from this Place.

Queen.
Slave, not so loud, least she shou'd tast this joy,
Before she die.—But Rhesus comes too late,
Thanks to my stars, too late, to rescue her!
But oh! my fortune, like a Misers Gift,
Shews penury of Soul ev'n in it's Bounty
My Pow'r is lost, all hopes of Pow'r are gone!
And with those hopes, all hopes of love, and Glory.
Nature, and fortune were at mighty Odds
When I was form'd; Nature gave vast desires
Fortune but scanty scraps of short Success,
To make my fatal disappointments greater
O! Love! Ambition! Duty! Father! Rhesus!
What several ways you drag my tortur'd heart!
And quite disjoint my Soul!

Enter Rhesus, Druids, Britains, and Attendants.
Mess.
Madam the Cambrian King.

Queen.
I must resolve.
I have no time to argue with my fortune.
Ambition, Love deny me life without him!
He shall be mine, or perish with me, here.

Ch. Druid
to Rhesus as they come forward.
Pardon me, Royal, Sir, my Grief's his due
He was my King, the last of his great house;
Shar'd in my Blood, and 'till this fatal love,
Did nought unworthy his illustrious Race.
The Crown h'has left me is alas a Burden!

Rhes.
Your Grief is just, as all your actions are;
And I shou'd share your pious Woe, but that
My heart's so full of Joy, that I approach
To end my Guinoenda fears, I can not think
Of ought that's sad.

Queen.
My Lord, I hope Success
Will not destroy your Justice
I must one Moment, interrupt your Wishes,
By staying you to know the fate of mine.

Rhes.
May all your juster Wishes prove successful!

Queen.
You are a niggard in your Pray'r, my Lord,
And with a large Reserve, you choak your Bounty;
While you will judge the Justice of my Wishes.
But sure theyr'e just when they end all in you!
I know a Woman, shou'd not say she loves;
But I am prest too close, by fate, to wait
The artful forms of tedious Ceremony;
To introduce a truth, I can't conceal.

Rhes.
Madam, there's none so great or fortunate
But wou'd be proud to wear the pleasing Chains
Of such a charming Beauty.—
But I was born for Guinoenda only,
And her alone can love.

Queen.
But were she dead?

Rhes.
Far be
The fatal Supposition! yet, ev'n then
I cou'd love none but her, but oh! much rather
I'd die my self; I'd rather the whole sex—
But, Madam, harbour no such fatal thought,
Oh! let not that betray you to attempt
Ought against, her, for by the Gods I swear
No expiation shall absolve your Guilt,
Or e'r appease my wild, destroying Vengeance.

Queen.
Be not too proud, and Vain of your success;
Our Army, now approaching, owns my Cause;
We have a Nation, to supply our losses,
You but a handful, far from all relief.
Be wise, and snatch the lucky, offer'd Moment,

Rhes.
Threats are but vain, for fear ne'r reach'd my heart,
And therefore, I must tell you Madam,
There's something fatal in you shocks my Nature,
Like suddain Illness in the mid'st of health.
Your very sight has damp'd my rising Joy.
All contraries in Nature may unite,
Sooner, than we.

Queen.
Am I so loathsom then?

Rhes.
Death, and Guinoenda I wou'd choose
Before an Empire, with the fairest She,
That e'r was vain of Beauty, Proud of Pow'r.

Queen.
Insensible, dull man, take then thy Wish,
Offers to stab him being hinder'd. stabs her self.
And let the Grave unite you.
Ha! disappointed!
Here at least I'm right.

Rhes
Wrest the dagger from her.

Queen.
Your Malice there's too impotent; 'tis done
Obedient Death relieves me from a sight,
My sick'ning soul wou'd ake at; her vast Joy
At thy Embraces; but it shall be short,
Short it shall be; yes fleeting, as my hopes were!
But then the Racks and Tortures that succeed
Oh! double may they be, and long! that sight,
Whose Image so delights my Rage, I fain
Wou'd live to see—but—oh!—it! wo'not—be—

[dies.
Guinoenda rises and is led forward.
Ch. Druid.
Remove her cursed body, that polluted
Our holy Temple with this hateful Murder.

Guin.
Methought I heard my Rhesus's melting Voice.
The charming Lure brought down my mounting Soul
That like a falcon towr'd aloft to'ards Heav'n.
Ha! what fatal Scene is this!

Rhes.
My Life! my Guinoenda!
Let not that sight now interrupt thy Joy.
The Gods at last have snatch'd us from ill fortune,
See here my noble Britains, all arriv'd!
The King fell by my Sword, the furious Queen
By her own hand, ev'n in this sacred Temple.

Guin.
The Gods are just, and in the very Place
Have punish'd her offence. It is enough
'Tis happiness enough to see thee free,
To have thee by me while I am expiring,
'Twas all I had to ask my cruel Stars.

Rhes.
Talk not of death, now danger is remov'd.
Now every God looks down, and smiles upon us
Blesses our Love, our Constancy, and Truth.

Guin.
Ah! dream no more of happiness with me!
For I have drank a draught, will quickly shew,
None lov'd so well, and yet was so unhappy!

Rhes.
Now heav'n forbid! what has thy Madness done?

Guin.
The Queen just now propos'd this fatal choice,
To live without my Rhesus, or die for him.
I cou'd not long delib'rate which to choose
But on her Oath to save your Life, I drank
The fatal Bowl.

Rhes.
Oh! unexpected! oh! too cruel Treachery!
Run all to seek some help, some Antidote.
My Kingdom for her Cure.

Guin.
It will not be!
I find it spread thro' every vital part,
And to my heart it takes its chilling journey.

Rhes.
Is this heav'n's care of Innocence, and truth!

Ch. Druid.
Be patient.

Rhes.
Tell me not of Patience
Were I on the Rack, m'extended limbs
Disjointed, my Bones all crush'd in pieces,
I might bear that, without a groan, or pang;
But oh! this Rack of Soul cannot be born!

Guin.
Ah! grieve not thus!
That adds a double terror to my fate.

Rhes.
O! Guinoenda! I am vastly wretched!

Guin.
Ha! now I feel the fatal gripe of death!
Support my sinking body in thy Arms.
O! glorious Sun! O! quickly setting Beams!
Setting to me for ever! O! ye Spheres!
That roll above with animating fires!

Rhes.
They see us both most wretched.

Guin.
O! vital Air! O! Earth! O! British Mansions!
O! genial Bed! that I shall ne'r see more!

[declines her head.
Rhes.
Lift up thy beauteous head, my Love, nor leave me!
But move the Gods, that can do all, to Pity.

Guin.
In vain! in vain; I see the grizly Terror.
With hideous Importunity, it waits
To waft me over to th'eternal shades.

Rhes.
O! dismal Sounds! O woes too vast to bear!

Guin.
Haste set me down, my feet will not support me;
And a dark Night slides, on my languid Eyes!

Rhes.
O! miserable Rhesus! oh! words more piercing,
And far more terrible, than Death it self!
Oh! thou art grown so much a part of me,
That on thy fate my life, and Death depend.

Guin.
I have prefer'd thy safety to my Own.
I might have liv'd; but chose to die for you
For rob'd of you, indeed I cou'd not live.
Oh! then my Rhesus, grant my last Request.

Rhes.
Oh! Name it quickly, that I may have life
To grant it.

Guin.
Where are my Children? call them
To take a sad farwel of their poor Mother.

Rhes.
O Guinoenda! sure my heart will burst!
Oh! take us both, ye Gods, or spare her life.

Enter Children.
Guin.
I know you love these little Ones, as I do,
Be tender of their Childhood, guard their Youth;
For I am leaving them! this Moment leaving them!
For ever leaving these dear pretty Orphans.
Farwel, my Children, may you both be happy,
More happy, than your Father, or your Mother!
Ah! love my Memory, as I have lov'd thee!

Rhes.
Coud'st thou resign thy life for me, and think,
I e'r cou'd cease to love thee! O! ye Gods!
Who have ordain'd this fatal Tryal, witness!
How much I love my Guinoenda! yes
While this wretched Remnant of my Life
(Which sure such Woes will shorten) does remain
Thee only I will love, and think on thee alone
And when kind fate shuts up my gloomy day
In everlasting Night, within one Grave
I will lie by thee! no fate shall ever part us.

Guin.
Here from my hands receive these charming Pledges
Ah! be their Mother too, as well as Father!

Rhes.
Alas! there's a Necessity for that!

Guin.
Ah! now, my Rhesus now I die!

Rhes.
Oh! take me with thee, for I will not live!

Guin.
Ah! live! these loose enough, in loosing me!

Rhes.
O! Gods! O! Fates what! Treasure you take from me!

Guin.
A leaden slumber falls upon my Eyes!

Rhes.
Oh! leave me not! forsake not your poor Children!

Guin.
Not willingly: but Oh! farwel!

Rhes.
Ah! look but on us!

Guin.
I'm going!

Rhes.
Ah: leave us not!

Guin.
Farwel!

[dies.
Rhes.
O! wretched Rhesus! speak once more!
Stay but, a Moment! take, ah! take me with thee,
Oh! Oh!—

[He stands fixt, and gazing on her.
Manse.
O! Mother! hear me! speak to me; 'tis I
'Tis I call on you; 'tis I that kiss your lips,
And press your hands, O! my dear Mother!

Tyr.
Alas! my Sister you call in vain on her,
That cannot hear you now, we both must share
This Woe, for both have lost the best of Mothers!

Rhesus
starting up.
It shall be so!—we'l be inter'd together?
Fate cou'd not part our Loves, nor shall our Bodies.

Ch. Druid.
My Lord be patient: bear it like a man,

Rhes.
O! Druid! she was the tenderest Wife!
So good! so soft! so loving! Gods! Oh! Gods!
Yet she is dead! by hellish Treachery dead!
The best of Women slain by the most Wicked!

Ch. Druid.
We all are born to die.

Rhes.
Why do I live then?
O! Guinoenda! must I live without thee!

Ch. Druid.
Remove her hence, the Sight too much disturbs him!

Rhes.
You shall not take her from me
By Heav'n I will not part with her, 'till death
Has made me like her. No I will hold her
Press her cold body fast within my Arms;
Unweary'd gaze on her benighted Eyes;
And 'mid ten thousand tender ardent Kisses,
Breath a new Life into her.—
Here I will fix immoveably fast
'Till I've transfus'd my Soul into her Body!—
I feel it on the Wing already.—

[faints away.
Ch. Druid
Go bear him gently to my Bed,
[they bear both off.
And take peculiar Care of his recovery.
Be comforted, my Boy, thy Father lives.
And Fate foredooms him a more glorious Death.
The Gods prepare him by this mighty Tryal,
For Deeds illustrious as his future Race.
Thy Mother might have longer life enjoy'd
But ne'r cou'd with such Glory have expir'd
The Phœnix of her Sex, the only Wife;
That for her Husband, durst resign her Life.

Tyr.
Sorrows begon!
Revenge will be more worthy me, than Tears!
I feel unusual Vigour in each Nerve
The godlike Genius of my drooping Father,
Shook from his Breast by his prevailing Sorrows,
Doubly informs my Soul, and fires my Blood.
Come on my Britans—
Unsheath your Swords, and with wide-wasting fury,
Fly to revenge your Queen, as Britians shou'd;
As Britains will when ever Gaul shall wrong them.
Burn kill, destroy, that, all around, the Shrieks,
And Groans of dying Gauls, may rend the Skies,
'Till Rhesus starting at the gladsom Sound,
With fullen Joy surveys our dreadful Deeds,
Leaps from his languid grief, to join our Rage,
To share the early Glory of his Son
And so compleat the Vengeance, we begun.

[Exit with Britains.
Ch. Druid