 | Liberty Asserted |  |
Scene 4.
Ulamar, Miramont.Mir.
The time allow'd thee to resolve is short;
Then I entreat thee make thy dearest use of it.
Ul.
I was about it.
Thou say'st thou art my Friend.
Mir.
I say I am thy Friend: Let Flatterers say
Brave Youth, for I have shewn I am thy Friend;
Live but an hour and thou wilt find me such,
Find I have boldly ventur'd all to save thee;
Done more for thee than ever I would do,
Ev'n for my nearest and most dear Relations;
Thou to my Soul are dearer than them all,
Related to me by a Nobler way;
My Kindred they in Blood, but thou in Virtue.
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Then let me take my leave of my Irene.
Mir.
Thou know'st not what thou ask'st, thy time is short,
And should'st thou see her, thy few pretious moments
Would be in empty Lamentations lost.
Ul.
Then bind thy self by Solemn Vows to Guard her
From all unworthy usage when I'm gone.
Mir.
Come, I'll do more for thee;
For thou shalt Live, and be thy self her Guardian:
What can'st thou poorly Die, and thy brave Friends
So near, who come to free thee from these Bonds,
To free us all from our Insulting Tyrant!
Can'st thou desert the great supports of Liberty,
And tamely Die?
Ul.
Tamely?
Mir.
Ay, Tamely!
Ul.
Oh give me but a Sword, and thou shalt see
How Tamely I will fall.
Mir.
How would'st thou use it.
Ul.
I'll thro' thy Numerous Sentries force my way,
And mounting o're the Ramparts Joyn my Friends.
Mir.
Impossible! Thou would'st betray thy self
And me to Fate, and would'st prevent thy Friends.
Ul.
What can I do besides!
Mir.
Declare.
Ul.
What for the French!
Against whose Crimes so Justly thou Inveigh'st?
Mir.
Do you think I ask thee to Declare for ever?
Thy Sentiments disemble but an Hour.
Ul.
Is Death so Dreadful?
Mir.
Consider but the happy Consequence.
Ul.
The Consequence is Guilt, Remorse and Shame,
You punish with an Ignominious Death,
They who desert your false and guilty Cause,
And would have me a Fugitive from Truth,
A Fugitive from Virtue?
Mir.
But for an Hour.
Ul.
But Virtue oft deserted for an Hour,
Resents it deeply, and upon the Wing
Is gone past all return.
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Three minutes yet are left thee to Declare.
Ul.
Then welcome Death the Fourth, for that brings, Liberty.
Mir.
Think that the happiness of ev'n a World
Depends upon thy Life.
Ul.
Know that Worlds Happiness depends on one
Who will not have it sav'd so base a way.
Mir.
If thou art so hard hearted to thy self,
Do something yet for me, who have done for thee,
More than thou know'st, or wouldst with ease believe.
Ul.
Thou art so Generous, I could Die for thee,
Be satisfy'd with that.
Mir.
Nay but thou shalt not, thus continue obstinate,
Descend to be intreated for thy self.
Ul.
'Tis they are Obstinate, who are in the wrong:
I never was more Right.
Mir.
'Tis past; How vain 'tis to contend with Fate.
| Liberty Asserted | |