 | Poems, dramatic and miscellaneous |  |
SCENE IV.
GAUDENTIUS and EUDOCIA.Gaudentius.
Though nature frowns, and monsters howl around
And threat the bands of each domestick joy,
Yet innocence and truth should cease to weep;
'Tis guilt alone should tremble in the storm.
Eudocia.
My native land distain'd with Roman blood
Warm from the veins of patriots and kings—
A father slain—a mother's tender woe—
Her virgin daughters weeping by her side,
Add stings to pain, and poignancy to grief.
Gaudentius
Let Angels guard and calm thy ruffled breast,
Let love and virtue cheer thy drooping soul;
And let thy peace reanimate again
A prince that lives but in Eudocia's smile.
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Talk not of peace to the imperial house;
The hand, the dark assassinating hand,
That pierc'd th' unguarded heart of Valentinian,
Has murder'd all his race—hah! Gaudentius!
[Gaudentius trembles, and turns pale.
The hand, the dark assassinating hand,
That pierc'd th' unguarded heart of Valentinian,
Has murder'd all his race—hah! Gaudentius!
Why trembles thus Gaudentius, at Valentinian's name?
A name he once rever'd, and call'd his friend—
Is it a probe that touch'd a secret wound?
A name he once rever'd, and call'd his friend—
Is it a probe that touch'd a secret wound?
Gaudentius.
My love—my grief—my fears—
A sudden illness that will soon subside.
Eudocia.
Thy fears—why should Gaudentius fear?
Gaudentius.
For all my soul holds dear beneath the stars—
Thy peace—thy health—thy happiness and love.
Eudocia.
Is there a latent cause, this moment wak'd,
To doubt Eudocia's love?
Gaudentius.
Thy deep dejection—thy too curious eye—
A brow o'ercast with something like a frown,
Ne'er seen before, where sweetness sits enthron'd,
And soft complacence has been us'd to smile,
Amidst the grief that wrung the aching heart.
Eudocia.
Does thine own conscience smile, and whisper peace;
And art thou sure that all's secure within?
I much suspect, thy friend, Traulista,
Is a secret foe—and that his hostile hand,
Oft steep'd in blood—fierce as the vulture's fang,
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When the remorseless sword mow'd down as grass
The faithful friends to Valentinian's house.
But Heaven forbid, that e'er the brave Gaudentius,
A good, a generous, noble minded prince,
Should join a murderous band—impossible!
I will not wrong thee thus—yet some strange horror
Seizes all my frame—as if my father's ghost
Stood bleeding by, and chid this parley
With a parricide.
[Eudocia turns abruptly to withdraw.
Gaudentius.
Oh! leave me not, my princess, thus suspected.
Eudocia.
If thou art guilty, own thy crime at once;
A poor defence will make thee doubly so.
If the least guilt contaminates thy soul,
My own would share by hearing thy excuse;
I see thee not till time restore thy fame;
And yet I fear—Oh! death to name—I fear,
Thy infamy is fix'd—forever fix'd,
Beyond redemption's call.
[Eudocia exit hastily.
| Poems, dramatic and miscellaneous | |