University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Castor and Eliza advancing.
Castor.
Well, Sister; what's your fair Opinion now?

Eliza.
That Fiends are Angels to such Souls as theirs.
Oh, Castor, how have I been wrong'd, abus'd,
By this base Husband, and this faithless Friend!
Oh, smooth Hypocrisy! with Syren Tongues,
How have they lull'd my Soul to soft Repose,
And in that Sleep betray'd me.—Serpents, yes;
In silent Coverts you shall fondly twine;
And I'll assist to fix your Links so fast,
As Toads and eating Worms shall scarce unloose.
Come, Furies, come and aid me in Revenge!
Here take a full Possession of my Mind,
And give me Vengeance, such as suits my Wrongs.

Castor.
To cool Resentment let this Rage resolve;
Take just Revenge, but then with Safety take it:
Calm Thought will point you out a thousand ways
To drive the Dart, with Aggravations arm'd.

Eliza.
What, sue for Justice in litigious Courts?
Or wait the issue of Appeals to Rome?
And then, at best, sit down in dull Contempt,
For conscious Slights, and pine in silent Woe!
No; Life and Thought henceforth are only Plagues;
A meer Protraction of my Rage for Wrongs:
I'll do myself by far a nobler Right,
And in their Bosoms drive a brave Revenge.

Castor.
Do; kindly end their ignominious Shame,
And spare their Minds the Tortures of Remorse;
Don't let them linger in the Pangs of Guilt,
But suffer thou to hasten on their Rest.
This overheard Appointment plumes my Hopes
Of satiating Revenge and ending Fear:
Yes: Godrick must be kept away, or he
May hinder my Intent on Albert:—aye,—
Eliza's Rage will balk his fond Design;—
He must be school'd for my Security:
And, safe at home, yet he shall heir the Guilt.
[Aside.
Sister, as well becomes your high Descent,
With noble Indignation speak your Wrongs:
Let this base Husband see your Virtue swells,
Beyond the Current of mean, earth-born Souls.
Let Anger break with an illustrious Flash!
And Greatness doubly arm your just Contempt.
So shall your Godrick's guilty Soul be sunk
To greater depths of Horror and of Shame.
Perhaps a generous Conviction may
Correct his Heart, and drive him into Goodness.

Eliza.
Do, cool the boiling Cauldron with thy Breath.
Go, bid the blazing Cataracts give o'er,
Or to the Mountain-Billows say, Subside!
As soon the Storms of Passion will be swag'd
By cautious Councils and the sage Advice,
When Injuries foment their forceful Swell.
Nor Life, nor Safety do I know regard;
Nor Pomp of Dignity, nor Pride of Blood!
What's outward Grandeur, all the Show of State,
To inward Harmony and Love's Delights!—
They only are the lasting Joys of Life,
The rest are vain and empty ev'ry one.
My Cup's embitter'd, all the Strings are crack'd
That tun'd my Soul to Harmony and Peace:
Smooth ran my former Days, like glassy Streams,
Reflecting Love and Friendship's chearful Beams!
Soft Songs of Rapture blest the winding Tide,
And Peace and Plenty wanton'd on its side:
Amidst Security, lo, Storms assail!
And fell Confusion does o'er all prevail!
Wrongs, Rage and Vengeance now foment the Strife,
And urge to Slaughter both the Friend and Wife.