 | Amelia |  |
SCENE IX.
A great Hall.Amelia going to Execution.
After a dead March, Enter Augusta.
Aug.
Now Traitress! take the just Reward,
Your heinous Crimes demand;
Nor shall Rodulpho long survive you.
Amel.
O let me see my Husband ere I die.
Aug.
It is in vain to pray for Mercy now.
Amel.
What has my Obstinacy brought upon me!
I have murdered both Rodulpho and myself,
Aug.
Why is her Death delay'd?
Dispatch her instantly.
28
Since I must die, I must submit.
But let Rodulpho's Life be spar'd,
And tell my Casimir we are the Persons,
Who sav'd him from the barb'rous Cruelty,
Which the Grand Visier threaten'd on him:
Tell him, I die his chaste and loving Wife,
And that Rodulpho is his faithful Friend,
More he will know, perhaps, when it's too late.
But let Rodulpho's Life be spar'd,
And tell my Casimir we are the Persons,
Who sav'd him from the barb'rous Cruelty,
Which the Grand Visier threaten'd on him:
Tell him, I die his chaste and loving Wife,
And that Rodulpho is his faithful Friend,
More he will know, perhaps, when it's too late.
Amelia wishes when she dies
Her dearest Lord may close her Eyes,
And Heaven may open his:
Then will he wish, but all in vain,
To have her render'd back again,
From Realms of endless Bliss.
Her dearest Lord may close her Eyes,
And Heaven may open his:
Then will he wish, but all in vain,
To have her render'd back again,
From Realms of endless Bliss.
Enter Casimir snatching the Headman's Sword.
Rodulpho follows.
Cas.
O live Amelia! live, thou best of Wives!
Rodulpho! live, thou most sincere of Friends!
Embrace him, Sister!
Who, with my dear Amelia,
Effected my Deliverance from Death.
Bless'd be the Day that I was taken Captive,
For otherwise I should have never known,
That I had such a Wife and such a Friend:
Unkind Amelia, not to undeceive me!
How could you persevere to such Extremity?
Amel.
Unkinder you, that could be so suspicious.
29
No more reproaches,
But let one general rejoicing
Run through our Hearts on this Occasion.
Cas., Amel.
Let me press thee, O my Charmer,
To a Heart that's only thine;
Never Passion sure was warmer,
Never more did Souls combine.
Casimir
to Rodulpho and Amelia.
A double Nuptial shall resplend the Day,
For to reward the Friendship of Rodulpho,
I give Augusta to his longing Arms.
And as we've all been equally concerned
In a Variety of great Misfortunes,
So let us now unanimously share
This unexpected Interval of Mirth.
O my Amelia, Pattern to thy Sex!
This Act of thine convey'd to latest Ages,
With Honour and Applause
Shall spread thy Fame,
And Thousands, yet unborn, revere thy Name.
For to reward the Friendship of Rodulpho,
I give Augusta to his longing Arms.
And as we've all been equally concerned
In a Variety of great Misfortunes,
So let us now unanimously share
This unexpected Interval of Mirth.
O my Amelia, Pattern to thy Sex!
This Act of thine convey'd to latest Ages,
With Honour and Applause
Shall spread thy Fame,
And Thousands, yet unborn, revere thy Name.
CHORUS.
When Dangers Innocence invade,
Just Heav'n vouchsafes a timely Aid;
And makes with brighter Lustre shine
Virtues conceal'd in Souls divine.
| Amelia | |