University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Flat opens, and discovers Oberon and Titania descending from Fairy Land.
OBERON.
See, there, my Love, the young and princely Bud,
Whose blossoming fair Freedom doats upon! [Sees Puck.]

Hah! Puck! what makes he here?—Titania,
I fear me much, thy too officious haste
Hath play'd me false: Thou didst not send that Sprite?

TITANIA.
In sooth, my Lord, I did.

OBERON.
It was a deed,
That shames the doer.—What?—Our several laws
Ev'n like our private and connubial loves,
Made for this Prince, but one incorporate fondness;
Our present speeding held one common scope,
To greet him with our earliest. Knowing this,
Why hath Titania from her Oberon
Pilfer'd the vantage of a little hour,
So beggaring our joint purpose?—Was this well?
Indeed it was not well.

TITANIA.
Why! Wherein ill, my Lord?
True, I did share your counsels; did approve
Your coming; and with gust as high as yours,
Dwell on yon splendid scene, that to mine eyes
Presents the royal Youth, and throned Pair,
Whose fortunes and whose honors hold my love
In equal poize with yours:—Yet, Oberon,
Whene'er you urg'd me to this welcome journey,
Your talk ne'er promis'd other Benison,
Save what comports with manhood—Conscious Dignity
Of Soul; and Glory, that laborious Virtue
Must win by sufferance, and preserve by toils,
Severe as those which earn'd it: these you call'd
Imperial Distinctions: these, you said,
Must give the Son a semblance of his Father:
These dictated your destin'd gratulation.

OBERON.
So Kings should wish for those who shall be Kings.

TITANIA.
So Kings should wish!—And therein Oberon
Doth wish as should a King.—But why must Oberon
Square to his single and particular thought
The sum and standard of all princely blessedness?
—So Kings should wish! Have Queens no wishes then?
Aye—but great Oberon saith, our several cares
For this same Prince, like our connubial loves,
Made one incorporate fondness.—Be it so—
Then should our cares be voiced severally,
Like our own loves, united, but distinct.
So grow their loves, whose Son hath brought us hither.
I grant he is a boy, a manly one:
I grant he hath a Father, whom to imitate
Will ask a strain of Spirit and Benevolence,
Expectance ne'er could warrant, till the fact
Pronounc'd it possible.—What then?—Doth that
Annul my claim and proper privilege?
Hath not the boy a Mother? Yes.—And I,
A female as I am, have fram'd a wish,
May lure a mother's ear, as soon, perhaps,
As aught that scornful Oberon hath prepar'd,
Elbowing all humbler emulation.
To bear that wish I sent the very Sprite,
Whose presence moves thee so.

OBERON.
Alas! thou rash one!
Thine ill-advised cunning, like a shaft
Drawn by an eager and unpractis'd hand,
Hath over-past it's aim.—Now hear me, Lady.
Thou dost remember, when, upon a time,
We read together in the fairy court
The sacred book of mortal destiny.
There did I find th' eternal mandate written,
Which said a German fair, this very Queen,
A virgin princess then, should share and grace
The bed and sceptre of a British King,
Just new to manhood, tho' right well advanc'd
In kingly properties.—Thou dost not heed me!

TITANIA.
Most faithfully, my Lord.

OBERON.
Observing this
(For that thou knowest what part in our regard
Doth Britain's Court possess) I sped me straight
(Fraught with such fairy gifts, as best might fit
A damsel of her state, odours and charms,
That our still vagrant Elves in earth or air,
From flowers and dews extract) ev'n to the court
Where dwelt this chosen dame, and future Queen.
There, when I came, expecting to have found
A Lady busied in such tricks of fancy,
As young and blithesome beauties do delight in;
Mark me, Titania, I did see a maid,
A very maid, pleading the cause of Nations,
Expostulating with a Sovereign warrior,
To save a ravag'd country.—Canst thou think
An heart so early great, so exquisitely,
Tho' in a woman, will accept or heed,
In favour of her son, her eldest hope,
Thy gossip's talk, thy sugar'd lullaby,
Thy wish, that suits a common mother's ear?
Away! Away!

TITANIA.
'Tis well, my haughty Monarch.
Is Oberon then to learn, that the best hearts,
The most aspiring, and the bravest, cherish
Most comprehensive feelings? Little minds
Do judge of great things, like the purblind gnat,
That deems a fly, a monster. Nobler natures
Encompass universal circumstance:
And while they can create their own enjoyment,
Find pleasing occupation every where.
The maid, that had a sigh for public sorrows,
Was happy, seeking to relieve those sorrows;
And being now a mother, will indulge,
Ev'n tho' a gossip's lullaby excite it,
A mother's ecstasy.—You, Sir, have seen her
Pleading the cause of nations.—I too, Sir,
I too have seen her; I have seen her wear
The robe of Majesty; yet never so,
But that she might descend to ease and sweetness,
All royalty preserv'd. We both have listen'd,
When midst the courtly bands, like one enraptur'd,
She hath enrich'd the gales with heaven-taught harmony:
Yet dwelt such mildness on her brow the while,
Such meek complacence, as did seem to say,
She could have own'd a pleasure in approving
A milk-maid's madrigal!—We both have seen
Her consort Lord, amidst the cares of millions,
Their homage, their applause, yearn to release
A death-doom'd felon's forfeit!—surely then,
Where regal bosoms bear so bland affections,
Titania's talk as well may hope access,
As Oberon's benediction look for welcome.

OBERON.
No more, Titania:—Our contention
Doth trifle with occasion.—Thou, my Queen,
Shalt add thy wish to mine; and let our Train
In general chorus, to the passing winds,
Impart our high behests; that Elves and Fays,
Thro' all the airy regions Oberon sways,
May pay due reverence, where their Sovereign pays.

SONG with Chorus.
OBERON.
Truth! who dar'st that Light to try,
Whose splendor mocks the eagle's eye;
Honour! whose unchanging rays,
Do foil the Diamond's stedfast blaze;
Teach the Prince to earn the fame,
That sanctifies a Monarch's claim!

TITANIA.
Sweet Content! that lov'st to rest
Pillow'd on the Cygnet's breast;
Innocence! whose maiden care
Doth bleach for spring the snow-drop fair;
Smooth his way thro' all the pains,
A Monarch for Mankind sustains!

OBERON.
Justice! who with dreadful pride
Athwart the Thunder-shaft dost glide;
Mercy! whose soft dew doth glow
Serene in Heav'n's high-tinged Bow;
Teach the Prince to earn the fame,
That crowns his Briton Father's claim!

TITANIA.
Rose-hu'd Health! whose tresses shed
The fragrance lusty Morn hath spread;
Playful Mirth! that oft dost ride
Upon the Lambkin's fleece astride;
Smooth his way thro' all the pains,
His Father for Mankind sustains!

OBERON.
Virtue! to reward his cares,
Let every Palm his Father wears,
At once inspire him and adorn!

TITANIA.
Love! for him with all the store
Of virgin Charms his Mother bore,
Bedeck some Princess yet unborn!

GENERAL CHORUS.
Union! Plenty! Joy! and Peace!
With his growing Years increase!
Glory! Gratitude! and Praise!
Bless him thro' the length of Days!