University of Virginia Library

SCENE V.

Enter Astragon and Birtha.
Astragon.
Forgive us, Royal Sir, forgive your Servants—

Birtha.
Forgive your humble suppliant who implores
Your Pardon to my Lord, tho' not to me.
Here let your Indignation sate its Fury
Upon my wretched Head: I'll dye with Pleasure
To satisfy the Justice of your Anger:
But spare my Gondibert, O spare my Husband,
For Mercy's Sake for Piety's forgive Him;
By these fast-streaming Tears—O let Them speak
The bleeding Anguish of my wounded Spirit,
And steal the Drops of Pity to your Bosom!—

King.
Speak, Astragon, what means this beauteous Vision,
This Daughter of the Skies (the Skies may claim Her)
Bright as the Morning Star, yet wet with Dews,
Thus kneeling at my Feet? Arise:—my Senses
Are dazzled at her Radiance.—Ease my Wonder.

Astragon.
My Daughter in the Feelingness of Sorrow,
And from a Heart in Pieces torn with Grief,
For her imprison'd Husband begs Compassion.
Upon my aged Knees I likewise beg it:
If e're my salutary Skill in Med'cin,
If e're my faithful Lessons of Instruction
Reliev'd your Body or compos'd your Mind
When agoniz'd with Doubts or stung with Pain;
If e'er my daily and my nightly Pray'rs,
Sent from the Fullness of my Heart to Heav'n
For Blessings on you, drew those Blessings down,
Have pity on her Youth, forgive the Duke,
And save us from the Terrors of your Wrath!

King.
Rise, Both.—Thy Daughter's Beauty might prevail
O'er Jupiter, offended at Mankind,
To lay his Thunder by.—As sure as Venus,
Like Thee distress'd and beautiful like Thee,
Shining in Tears and breathing of Ambrosia,
Obtain'd of Jove to pity her Æneas
Our glorious Ancestor, from whom we sprung,
So sure I pardon Gondibert and Thee.
His Choice of Thee absolves Him from all Guilt,
Thou Something more than Mortal! and exalts Him
Above the Thrones and Happiness of Kings.