University of Virginia Library

SCENE V.

KING, RHODOLINDA, GONDIBERT, BIRTHA, ASTRAGON, PHILOSOPHERS &c. as after the Banquet.
Gondibert.
This royal Overflowing of your Bounty
Restrains my fault'ring Tongue, which fain wou'd speak
The thankful Language of my grateful Heart.—
My Actions shall declare my Zeal and Duty.

King.
Dear to my Soul as when, adorn'd with Spoils,
Thou bravely triumph'd o'er my Kingdoms Foes,
Establishing my Throne, I reinstate Thee
My General and my Friend: forget the Storm
Which burst too sudden, but is pass'd away
Ne'er to distress Thee more. Exert again
Thy pristine Pow'rs and shine with equal Glory.
The generous Eagle thus, awhile dismiss'd
The Service of the Cloud-compelling God,
In Darkness drooping, flags his burnish'd Wings,
Nor bears his bold Incursions on the Sun;
But soon recall'd He tow'ring claps his Pinions
Resumes the Bolt of Jove and grasps the Thunder.
Here, crown and reach the Bowl; let purple Bacchus
Walk jocund round.—He sparkles in the Gold
With reconciling Smiles, and courts the Lip
Ambitious of the charming Health we give.
Joy to the Bride.

Rhodolinda.
And to the Bridegroom Health.

Birtha.
The Business of my Life, most gracious Princess,
Shall be employ'd in praising of your Goodness.

1. Philosopher.
May Heav'n surround you with the Gifts of Plenty—

2. Philosopher.
With Peace and Pleasure—

3. Philosopher.
And a beauteous Offspring
Rich in their Father's and their Mother's Graces—

Astragon.
May every Day like this be crown'd with Blessings,
Till ripe for Immortality you gather
The glorious Harvest and Reward of Virtue,
Partakers of celestial, endless Joys.

King.
But where's the Musick? Harmony becomes
This genial Hour—Here, let the sprightly Viol
The numerous Lyre and soft melodious Lute,
With every Instrument of pleasant String
Divide their Notes and wake the Sounds of Rapture.

Enter two Pages drest like Cupids.
1.
Sings and presents a Naked Sword richly embelish'd with Diamonds to Gondibert.

2.
With a Garland sings.

As He is presenting the Crown of Flow'rs to Birtha enter Ulfinore wounded.
Ulfinore.
Perish thy hellish Present, smiling Villain—

[Catches It and stamps it under his Feet.
King.
Unmanner'd Slave! what means this bold Intrusion?

Gondibert.
Ah! bleeding? Ulfinore, explain thyself—
He faints—He falls—

Ulfinore.
Forgive my seeming Rudeness,
This Rudeness which preserves the Life of Birtha.

Gondibert.
Ha! sayst Thou—

Ulfinore.
Hold, my Life, till I have told
The guilty Tale, and I shall dye in Peace.—
This Moment Tibalt, whom my Arm has slain
For Treachery to Friendship and my Master,
Expiring and repenting of his Treason,
Confess'd, in Combination with his Wife
And Rhodolinda, that He strew'd these Flow'rs
With baleful Aconite and Drugs from Hell,
With Charms deliver'd by the Witch Urganda,
To poison Birtha.—Luckily I came
Fast as my Wounds allow'd me and prevented
Her certain Fate:—For which I thank the Gods
And gladly fall a Victim—at her Feet.

[Dies.
Rhodolinda.
Ye cruel Stars!—what—am I disappointed?
Thus I make sure—
[Snatches the Sword and offers to stab Birtha: prevented by Gondibert.
Baffled again!—Confusion—
Then thus—

[Stabs Herself.
King.
Oh Horror, O!—my Crown to save Her—

[Faints.
Gondibert.
Good Heav'n, support the King!

Rhodolinda.
The Stroke was Home—
My Life-blood follows, and my flaming Spirits
With Indignation quit their hated Mansions.
And yet, my Soul! but oh it is too late—
The Rage of Female Pride contemn'd and scorn'd
To Madness drove me—hurl'd me on Destruction.
O Rhodolinda! by thyself undone—
Revenge in Woman, kindled by Despair
Must end in—Death.—O cursed Pride and Jealousy,
O fatal Female Ruin—Pride and Jealousy
Absolve the Furies—when compar'd with Them
The Furies seem to whiten into Virtue.
—My Hate together with my Life is finish'd.—
Forgive me, Birtha, Gondibert, forgive me,
And pardon Laura too—the Guilt was mine.
—The Crown must now be Yours—let that attone
For all the Crimes my frantick Passion plotted—

Gondibert.
Madam your last Request shall be obey'd;
We pardon Laura—For the Witch Urganda
Flames, next that Hell she's leagu'd with, shall await her.

Rhodolinda.
—My Father!—O take care of his Old Age—
His Grief sits heavy on his Spirits—oh.

[Dies.
Astragon.
The King revives; quick, softly lead Him hence,
And I'll attend Him with my ablest Care.

Gondibert.
All-gracious Heav'n! Thy Mercy first be prais'd:
Repair We to the Temple! Then we'll pay
Our Duty to the Dead—My Birtha, come,
Sav'd by the Gods and their protecting Goodness,
To crown my Life with Joy!

Astragon.
From hence behold
The righteous Care of PROVIDENCE, who guards
With its bright Shield, and leads thro' secret Paths
The Innocent to Peace: While Guilt is punish'd
By its own wicked Arts, and vile Revenge
Pursues her Votaries with Swords and Poisons,
But chief Blood-Guiltiness. Murthers intended,
Tho', by Heav'ns Care, not put in Execution,
For ever to their Authors fatal prove,
While Happiness attends on Virtuous Love.

[Exeunt Omnes.