University of Virginia Library

SCENE the sixth.

Venusia and Dumnorix.
Venusia.
On you, celestial arbiters, we call.
Now, as we stand environ'd by distress,
Now weigh our actions past, deform'd, or fair.
If e'er oppression hath defil'd his valour,
In help and pity to the woes of others
Our hearts been scanty, and our hands reserv'd,
Let our transgressions ratify our doom:
Else with your justice let our merits plead
To hold its shield before us, and repel
These undeserv'd misfortunes.

Dumnorix.
Heav'n may hear,
And through that forest lead us still to safety.
Ha! no; each pow'r against us is combin'd;
What but their anger, levell'd at our heads,
Could bring Tenantius back, so strictly charg'd
To seek our home—The intercepting foes
Have seiz'd the secret pass.

Venusia.
Whose guarian care
Now to the gloomy shelter of a desart,
To solitary innocence and peace
Will guide our friendless orphans?

Dumnorix.
True, Venusia.
Through ev'ry trial heav'n is pleas'd to lead us.
Droop not—one comfort never can forsake us.
The mind, to virtue train'd, in ev'ry state
Rejoicing, grieving, dying, must possess
Th'exalted pleasure to exert that virtue.