 | The Viceroy |  |
SCENE IV.
PERSOD discovered sleeping on a couch, and VELORA sitting by him.VELORA.
Ye ministers of peace, O! kindly visit
His troubled slumbers! let not frightened nature
Thus lose the balmy influence of rest.
PERSOD,
(still sleeping.)
Beware my child beware—this cruel Viceroy!
VELORA.
Unhappy father! how it grieves my soul
To see thee shaken by these painful terrors.
PERSOD.
No! tyrant, no! away! away! thou shalt not
Tear her from these weak arms—I clasp her still.
(waking.)
Good Heaven! where am I? O my child! my child!
Do I indeed embrace thee still, my daughter?
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VELORA.
Be not alarmed,
My gentle father!—'twas a vision only;
Here is no being but thy own Velora.
PERSOD.
Alas! my child, these terrifying phantoms
Tear my weak frame:—they shake me still with horror,
Methought I saw thee in the savage grasp
Of the fierce Viceroy:—hence distracting image!
It haunts me still.
VELORA.
Let thy beloved Velora
Calm these wild fears, and talk them into peace!
PERSOD.
Still! my sweet child, assure my trembling heart,
That when thy old weak guard is severed from thee,
As soon he must be, strong in native virtue,
Thou wilt resist the Viceroy's cruel aims,
That no rich offers of insidious love,
No terrors of the tyrant, shall betray
Thy yielding beauty to his impious arms!
VELORA.
No! by thy tender love, thy hallowed age,
By all the virtues of thy heart, I swear
No powers shall force me to that shameful fate.
PERSOD.
Thanks! my dear child, thy animating words
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And warm me with new life—methinks I gain
A new supply of strength; and I will use it
To taste the freshness of the evening air.
Bless thee, my kind attendant.
VELORA.
Still let my arm
Assist your steps!
PERSOD.
No! sweet support, I thank thee,
I will but venture to yon shady palm,
To soothe my troubled thoughts, and recollect
The thousand tender things, paternal love
Has yet to utter, ere our last adieu:
Remain thou here! and I will soon return.
(Exit.
| The Viceroy | |