University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

One of the Court-Yards of the Imperial Palace.
RODOLPHO and EVERARD.
RODOLPHO.
How stupenduous are the ways of Heaven!
Was ever change so happy, so deserv'd
And glorious!—Believe me, Sir, my heart
Exults!—Amazement mix'd with joy elates
My raptur'd soul! my much lov'd rescu'd friend!
I feel his transports, and I share his honours.

EVERARD.
This wond'rous revolution has impress'd
Upon my mind a sense of Providence
More strong than ever, and my thoughts are heighten'd
To a more elevated pitch—I feel
A glow of fervour in my conscious mind,
From bright revealing truth! amazing all!
But heav'nly power extends its gracious arm
Beyond the narrow reach of mortal sight,
And often is as wonderful as good!—
The virtuous, the distress'd, shou'd ne'er despair,
And fair Constantia is a glorious proof.

RODOLPHO.
The noblest in the regist'ry of years,
Her love and virtue are without a rival
In Hebrew annals, or in Grecian tales,
Nor can the Roman records boast her equal.

EVERARD.
How much it to your monarch's praise redounds,
A glorious lesson to all patriot kings,
Thus to concession make for injur'd worth,
And retribution for the wrongs it suffer'd.

RODOLPHO.
The mandate's given, that they procession make
Thro' the great street that to the palace leads,
With ev'ry honour that's to sov'reigns paid;
And make the city's rampart shake around.

EVERARD.
But here comes Clermont, the brave Gallic youth,
Noble Alberti rescu'd from the cave.—
That happiness I long foretold you, Sir,
Is come to pass—I now congratulate
Your safe return to light and liberty!

Enter CLERMONT.
CLERMONT.
O most humane and gen'rous Sir, words are
Too weak t'express my grateful, fervent thanks
For your kind aid—and friendly influence—
Bless'd be the name of Britain—whose fam'd sons
Thus feel for mis'ry, and abhor oppression!

EVERARD.
Sure, from the joy strong painted on thy face,
The exiles are receiv'd with loud acclaims.

CLERMONT.
My gladden'd eyes with friendly tears o'erflow'd,
On seeing of such universal joy.
Each house with richest tapestry is hung,
And ev'ry window throng'd with crowding looks,
In joyful expectation of their coming.—
While jostling multitudes through streets below,
Ask of each other, have they yet appear'd?
How looks Constantia?—Is Alberti chang'd?
But none have time to give a gentle answer,
So eager rush all forward to behold them.

RODOLPHO,
This narrative's a cordial to my soul.

CLERMONT.
The old, the young, congratulate each other
With thousand blessings on th'Emperor's name,
For having punish'd such a fiend as Seyfert,
And nobly rescu'd such heroic virtue!
In short, on ev'ry side, from ev'ry tongue,
Constantia and Alberti are the theme!—
[A gun.
Hark! that's the signal of their march begun,
Let's haste to view, and join them as they come.