University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

The Cave.
Enter Eugenia.
Eugen.
Good Heaven!
No Succour yet: I'me tired with wandring,
And faint with hunger. Ah some kind Silvian God,
That rul'st these Groves, rise from thy mossie Couch,
And with thy hoord of Summer wholesom Fruits,
Preserve an innocent Lady from sharp Famine!
I saw an Apple-tree in yonder Thicket,
On which eager to feed, as I drew near it,
A large grown Serpent from the hollow root,
Oppos'd my raging hunger, and instead of pitying
My pale and pining Looks, with flaming Eyes,
And dreadful Hisses, like the Hesperian Dragon,
Frighted me from the place; the very Trees, I think,
Take part with cruel man. Ha! what gloomy Place is this?
Here is a Path to't; sure 'tis some savage Hold.
Hoa, who's there?
If any thing that's civil, speak and help
A wretched Creature; but if savage,
Be speedy in my death. No Answer; then I'le enter.
Now Mercy, Heaven.

[Exit.
Enter Bellarius and Palladour.
Bellar.
I've haunch'd the Stag, and hung his Quarters up
The backside of the Cave, and when your Brother comes,
We'le make our Feast.

[Horn within.
Palla.
Hark, I think I hear his Horn; let's go and
Meet him, he has ventur'd hard to day, it may
Be the wild Boar has hurt him too.

Bellar.
Heaven forbid, my Boy.—

[Exeunt.
Re-enter Eugenia with Meat, eating and lifting up her hands.
Eugen.
Bless'd be this poor Retreat; for ever bless'd
The Steward of this Feast, that brings me comfort,
And saves me from a miserable Fate. Oh Heaven!
How sweet is this course Fare, this little morsel,
Which in prosperity my lavish hand
Wou'd have profusely thrown away to Dogs?
How dearly does it relish now? How covetous am I
Of each least Bit? Pardon great Providence:
We are ignorant of our selves, till Miseries
Purge our corrupted Natures, and Want, rare Artists,
Moulds us to sence of our Mortality.

[Eats and drinks.
Enter Bellarius, Palladour, and Arviragus, with a Boar's Head.
Bellar.
Welcome Arviragus; welcome my young Heroe,
Let me embrace thee.

Pallad.
Welcome dear Brother, I congratulate your Conquest,
I see you shun no danger.

Arvir.
Danger? 'tis my Pleasure:
I wou'd not give a minute for a Victory,
Unless by hazard sweetned; there's the bliss,
The proof of Valour.—This very Boar to day,
Foaming through rage, with mighty force rush'd on me,
And ere I cou'd avoid, threw me to th'ground;
When angry at my fall, I spurn'd him from me,
Rose quick, and with my Javelin pierc'd his heart.

Bellar.
Thanks Heaven for thy Escapes. Come Palladour,
Your Brother to day is Master of the Feast;
We'le play the Cook and Servant. How now, what's here?

Palla.
What's the matter, Sir?

Bellar.
Stand back a little:
But that he eats our Victuals, I shou'd think
He were a Fury.

Palla.
Jupiter—What is't?

Arvir.
An Angel, by my Soul; or else at least
Some Rural Deity.

Bellar.
A pretty Boy, a very Cupid: Hold, it's going to speak.

Eugen.
Good Master, hurt me not.
Before I enter'd here I call'd, and thought
To have begg'd or bought what I have took: Indeed
I have stoll'n nothing, nor wou'd not, though I had found
Gold strew'd ith' Floor; Here's money for my Meat:
[Kneeling.
I wou'd have left it on the Board as soon
As I had made my Meal, and then departed,
With humble thanks and prayers for the Provider.

Bellar.
Money—sweet Youth.

Arvir.
Let Gold and Silver, the Dirt o'th' Earth, be priz'd
By such as worship dirty Gods, not us.

Eugen.
I see you are angry;
But know, if you kill me for my fault, I shou'd
Have dy'd, had I not made it.

Palla.
With what a modest innocence he speaks?

Arvir.
And what a rosie face he has?

Bellar.
Whither are you going?

Eugen.
To Milford.

Bellar.
I hope you have done no mischief, and are flying,
From Justice?

Eugen.
No, Heaven knows, not I.

Bellar.
What's your Name?

Eugen.
Fidele, Sir; I have a Kinsman that
Is bound for Rome; he embarks at Milford Haven,
To whom being going, I lost my way ith' Woods,
And almost pin'd with hunger,
Am faln in this offence; pray pardon me,

[kneels and weeps.
Bellar.
Prethee my pretty fellow,
Think us not Churles, nor measure our good minds
By this rude place we live in, come, come, thou'rt welcome,
Heartily welcome, and shalt have better cheer,
Ere thou depart'st, and thanks to stay and take it.
Nay prithee wipe thy eyes: Boys, bid him welcome.
By Jove, there's something in his honest Look,
That moves my heart with love and pity for him.

Pallad.
I know not what you feel, but in my breast
Love gives him large possession; my Genius tells me,
He's worthy our best Favour. Sir, I embrace ye.

Arvir.
And I as kindly as I wou'd a Sister,
Were she distress'd as thou art. Welcome, dear Brother:
I'le call thee so, and wou'd revenge thy wrongs
With a full heart, knew I the fatal Authors.

Eugen.
A thousand blessings on you. Oh gracious Heaven!
Can this be true? Are there such blessings left
Yet for Eugenia?

Pallad.
He weeps at some Distress.

Arvir.
And the clear drops stand on his blushing Cheek,
As pearly dew on Roses. Come, my sweet Brother,
You must not be thus sad; we are all your Friends,
And love you heartily, I do swear.

[Embraces.
Pallad.
And I, by yonder Sun; there is methinks
A sympathy between us.

Bellar.
For my part,
I lik'd him at first sight: Come, welcome, welcome;
In troth you are too melancholy.

Eugen.
A small Distemper, Sir:
'Twill quickly away agen.—How courteously they use me?
And with what honesty express their Love?
Dear modest Creatures.

Bellar.
Now Sirs, let's in,
And dress our Venison; when we have supp'd, sweet Boy,
We'le mannerly desire of thee thy Story,
As far as is convenient.

Eugen.
I'me oblig'd to you for Life, Sir.

Arvir.
Come dearest Brother.

Pallad.
More lov'd than the ruddy morn, or the
Purling Brook, when parch'd with heat o'th'
Dog-star, we descend to quench our eager thirst.

Eugen.
I'me bound to you for ever:
And now too well I can disprove Report,
The Countrey is not savage, but the Court.

[Exeunt, they embracing her.