University of Virginia Library

SCENE the Last.

Angus, Ramsay. Athol, &c. Prisoners.
Angus.
Bright Deeds of Glory hath thine Arm atchiev'd,
Couragious Ramsay; and thy Name shall live
For ever in the Annals of Renown.—
—But see, where silent as the Noon of Night
These Lovers lie!—rest—rest ill-fated Pair!
Your dear Remembrance shall for ever dwell
Within the Breast of Angus; and his Love
Oft with paternal Tears bedew your Tomb!

Ramsay.
O fatal Scene of Innocence destroy'd!

Angus
, To Athol.
O bloody Author of this Night's Mishap!
Whose impious Hands are with the sacred Blood
Of Majesty distain'd!—Contemplate here
The Havock of thy Crimes; and then bethink thee,
What Vengeance craves.—

Athol.
With Insolence of Speech
How dares thy Tongue licentious, thus insult
Thy Sov'reign, Angus?—Madly hath thy Zeal
Espous'd a sinking Cause.—But thou may'st still
Deserve my future Favour.—

Angus.
O thou Stain
Of fair Nobility!—thou Bane of Faith!
Thou Woman-killing Coward, who hast crept
To the unguarded Throne, and stabb'd thy Prince!
What hath thy Treason, blasted as it is,
To bribe the Soul of Angus to thy Views?

Athol.
Soon shalt thou rue th'Indignity now thrown
On me thy lawful Prince.—Yes, talking Lord,
The Day will soon appear, when I shall rise
In Majesty and Terror, to assert
My Country's Freedom; and at last, avenge
My own peculiar Wrongs.—When thou, and all
Those grov'ling Sycophants, who bow'd the Knee
To the Usurper's arbitrary Sway,
Will fawn on me.—Ye temporizing Slaves!
Unchain your King; and teach your humble Mouths
To kiss the Dust beneath my royal Feet.—

[To the Guard.
Angus.
The Day will soon appear!—Day shall not thrice
Return, before thy Carcase be cast forth
Unbury'd, to the Dogs and Beasts of Prey.—
Or, high-exalted, putrify in Air
The Monument of Treason.—

Athol.
Empty Threat!
Fate hath foretold that Athol shall be crown'd.

Angus.
Then Hell hath cheated thee.—Thou shalt be crown'd—
An Iron Crown, intensely hot, shall gird
Thy hoary Temples; while the shouting Crowd
Acclaims thee King of Traitors.

Athol.
Lakes of Fire!—
Ha! said'st thou Lord!—a glowing Iron Crown
Shall gird my hoary Temples!—Now I feel
Myself awake to Misery and Shame!
Ye Sceptres, Diadems and rolling Trains
Of flatt'ring Pomp, farewell!—Curse on those Dreams
Of idle Superstition, that ensnare
Th'ambitious Soul to Wickedness and Woe!
Curse on thy Virtue, which hath overthrown
My elevated Hopes! and may Despair
Descend in Pestilence on all Mankind!

Angus.
Thy Curse just Heav'n retorts upon thyself!
To sep'rate Dungeons lead the Regicides.—
[Exit Guard with the Prisoners.
From Thirst of Rule what dire Disasters flow!
How flames that Guilt Ambition taught to glow!
Wish gains on Wish, Desire surmounts Desire;
Hope fanns the Blaze, and Envy feeds the Fire:
From Crime to Crime aspires the madd'ning Soul;
Nor Laws, nor Oaths, nor Fears its Rage controul;
'Till Heav'n at length awakes, supremely just,
And levels all its tow'ring Schemes in Dust!