 | Poems, dramatic and miscellaneous |  |
SCENE IV.
ÆTIUS—GAUDENTIUS—HERACLIUS.Ætius.
Heraclius!—Say, what has brought thee hither?
Heraclius.
The emperor's command—he, on the tide
Of pleasure and success, congratulates,
Both on the peace, and on Attila's death,
The brave Gaudentius, and his noble sire;
He greets with thanks, his hardy, veteran friends,
For valour, faith, and every great exploit
Their arms atchiev'd in the rough field of Mars.
When Ætius finds it safe to leave the camp,
It is his will ye both repair to Rome,
To rest awhile from toilsome scenes of war,
And taste the pleasures of the imperial court.
Ætius.
We shall obey—and ere tomorrow's dawn,
I reach the city and salute my prince.
But whence that sigh, my son? Art thou afraid (to Gaud.)
To venture on the threshold of a court,
Lest it melt down thy valour or thy fame?
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Rekindle in thy breast a lover's flame.
And bring the fair Eudocia to thine eye?
Thy valour claims her from the emperor's hand
Nor will he longer now protract his vow.
Gaudentius.
Nor shall he—Eudocia is my wife—
A soldier's honour rests upon his sword,
And mine shall claim its right.
Heraclius.
He gives Eudocia to thy longing arms,
And bids thee haste to solemnize thy love,
In festal joys and holy nuptial rites.
Gaudentius.
Thou art the harbinger of bliss indeed;
Command my gratitude, it shall be thine:
I'll hasten on, and meet thee in the forum;
If yet thou hast one wish ungratified,
Command my aid—it shall ensure success.
Complete thy fortune, and fill up thy hopes.
Heraclius.
The princess waits impatiently to hear
The happy moment of her lord's return.
[Exit Heraclius.
Ætius.
There's not a prince in Valentinian's court
Has serv'd with more fidelity and zeal;
Nor does he slight the services of Ætius,
But as a prince he bounteously rewards.
My son! the bravest, most deserving youth
That e'er paternal love clasp'd to his breast,
He crowns thy valour with the choicest gift
A lover ever wish'd, or hero claim'd.
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Thou must remember that thou liv'st for Rome:
Let not ambition, avarice, or love,
Contaminate thy patriotick worth:
And as my sword has sav'd the commonwealth,
Drove back her foes, and given peace to Rome,
Let thine example teach her to be free.
Gaudentius.
Inspir'd by thee, by glory, and by fame,
No deed of mine shall ever stain thy name.
[Exeunt.
| Poems, dramatic and miscellaneous | |