University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

PALÆSTRA and AMPELISCA appear in the Temple Court.
PALÆSTRA.
Now are we destitute of ev'ry power,
Of ev'ry succour and defence, no hope
Of safety left us, neither do we know
Which way to turn, or whither to betake us.
Dire apprehensions compass us around,
Such outrage have we suffer'd here within
From the base rogue our master, who most rudely
Push'd down the good old priestess, treated her
With the most vile indignities, and drag'd us
With violence from the statue.—Seeing then
Our state is desperate, it were best to die.
Death is the only refuge in affliction.

Trach.
What do I hear? what sad complaints are these?
Why don't I go and comfort them?—Palæstra!

Pal.
Who calls there?

Trach.
Ampelisca!

Amp.
Ha! who's that?

Pal.
Who is it call us?

Trach.
Turn, and you will know.

Pal.
(turning)
O my best hopes of safety!

Trach.
No more wailings:
Be of good heart: have faith in me.

Pal.
If possible,
O save and shelter us from impious violence,
Lest it should force me to do violence
To my own self.

Trach.
No more:—you are a fool.

Amp.
Seek not to comfort us with words alone.

Pal.
Except you find a real safe-guard for us,
We are undone; and I'm resolv'd to die
Sooner than fall into this villain's power.
Yet have I but a woman's heart; for when
I think on death, I tremble.

Trach.
Though your case
Is hard, have a good heart.

Pa.
Where shall I find it?

Trach.
Don't be dismay'd, sit down here by this altar.

Pal.
What can this altar now avail us more
Than did the statue, which we late embrac'd,
'Till drag'd from it by force?

Trach.
Do but sit down,
I'll guard you: let this altar be your fortress,
I will defend the works: with Venus' help
I'll stand against th'attacks of this Procurer.

Pal.
We'll follow your instructions.—
(The Women advance towards the Altar, and kneel.)
—Gentle Venus!
Thus lowly on our knees, and bath'd in tears,
Embracing this your altar, we beseech you,
Guard and receive us into your protection:
Avenge you on those miscreants, who dare slight
Your Temple, and permit us to approach
Your altar, who last night by Neptune's power
Were cast away: O hold us not in scorn,
Nor think it done amiss, that thus we come
Less seemingly accoutred than we ought.

Trach.
They ask but what is right, and you should grant it:
You must forgive them: their sad apprehensions
Force them to what they do. Yourself, they say,
Sprung from the ocean, slight not then these outcasts.
But the old gentleman, our common friend,
Comes opportunely here from out the Temple.