University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Osmond. Barons.
Osmond.
My Lords, I greet you well. This wondrous Day
Unites us all in Amity and Friendship.
We meet to-day with open Hearts and Looks,
Not gloom'd by Party, scouling on each other,
But all the Children of one happy Isle,
The social Sons of Liberty. No Pride,
No Passion now, no thwarting Views divide us:
Prince Manfred's Line, at last, to William's join'd,
Combines us in one Family of Brothers.
This to the late good King's well-order'd Will,
And wise Siffredi's generous Care we owe.
I truly give you Joy. First of you all,
I here renounce those Errors and Divisions
That have so long disturb'd our Peace, and seem'd,
Fermenting still, to threaten new Commotions—
By Time instructed, let us not disdain
To quit Mistakes. We all, my Lords, have err'd.
Men may, I find, be honest tho' they differ.

1st Baron.
Who follows not, my Lord, the fair Example
You set us all, whate'er be his Pretence,
Loves not with single and unbiass'd Heart
His Country as he ought.

2d Baron.
O beauteous Peace!
Sweet Union of a State! What else, but Thou,
Gives Safety, Strength, and Glory to a People
I bow, Lord Constable, beneath the Snow
Of many Years; yet in my Breast revives
A youthful Flame. Methinks, I see again
Those gentle Days renew'd, that bless'd our Isle,
Ere by this wasteful Fury of Division,
Worse than our Ætna's most destructive Fires,
It desolated, sunk. I see our Plains
Unbounded waving with the Gifts of Harvest;
Our Seas with Commerce throng'd, our busy Ports
With chearful Toil. Our Enna blooms afresh;
Afresh the Sweets of thymy Hybla flow.
Our Nymphs and Shepherds, sporting in each Vale,
Inspire new Song, and wake the pastoral Reed—
The Tongue of Age is fond—Come, come, my Sons
I long to see this Prince, of whom the World
Speaks largely well—His Father was my Friend,
The brave unhappy Manfred—Come, my Lords;
We tarry here too long.