 | Horatius |  |
SCENA III.
Sabina, Camilla. Julia.Sab.
Sister, I'le tel you good news,
Cam.
I believe,
I know it, if we may but name it such;
I was in presence when 'twas told unto
my Father, but I gather nought from thence
that may asswage my grief; this intermission
of our misfortunes, will but make their stroaks
more rude; 'tis but a longer time allow'd
to our inquietudes, and all the comfort
that one may hope from thence, is onely this,
to lament those we love a little later.
Sab.
The Gods have not in vain inspir'd this tumult.
Cam.
Let's rather say, sister, that we consult them
in vain; the same Gods have inspir'd this choice
into the brest of Tullus; and the publick
is not always their voice; much less descend they
into such low receptacles, but in
the brest of Kings, their living Images,
whose absolute power is, and authority,
a secret ray of their divinity.
Jul.
It is to form you ostacles without reason,
to seeke their voices otherwise then in
their oracles, and you can't to your self
figure all lost, without belying that
was rendered to you yesterday.
Cam.
An Oracle
31
we think to understand it, commonly
the less we understand it, farre from setling
on such a sentence; who sees nothing in't
obscure, ought to believe that all is so.
Sab.
Let us build more assurance upon that
which makes for us, and entertain the sweetness
of a just hope; when Heaven is favourable
halfe wayes to ope its armes, who doth not promise
some good thence to himself, deserves it not;
he oftentimes hindereth this favour from
shewing it self, and when it doth descend,
his cold refusall sendeth it away.
Cam.
Heaven acteth without us in these events,
and ordereth them not on our sentiments.
Jul.
He makes you not affraid but for your good.
Adiew, I goe to know what's done at last;
asswage your fears, hope at my return,
to entertain you, Ladies, with no other
discourse but love, and that we shall imploy
the end of this day to the sweet preparatives
of a blest marriage.
Sab.
I hope it also.
Cam.
And I dare not to dream on't.
Jul.
Th'effect will make it plaine t'y', which knows best
to judge thereof.
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