University of Virginia Library

ACT II.

SCENE Changes to the Roman Camp.
Enter Paulinus solus.
Paul.
Sure 'tis the best Estate when Mortals prove
None of the Sweet or Bitter Draughts of Love;
The Sweet can ravish the transported Soul,
But still the bitter makes the larger Bowl.
Let those that will in such a state remain,
Share in no Pleasure, to partake no Pain;
But I, above that dull indifference rais'd,
Would live in Pain to be but sometimes pleas'd:
For in the Bliss that Beauty can bestow,
One hour of Joy outweighs an Age of Woe.

Enter Fabian.
Fab.
I left, my noble Lord, our Arms Engag'd,
And now the bloodiest War again is wag'd:
Never did Romans greater Bravery show,
Nor ever were receiv'd so well as now.
Here British Troops, there Roman Legions yield,
And drive by turns each other thro' the Field.
Here Fierce Cassibelan, there Decius storms,
While Fate attends them both, in all its Forms;
Each Party Fights as certain of Success,
Nor can their Losses make their Courage less.
Conquest, or Death, each side alike pursues,
And Victory still doubts which side into chuse.

Paul.
Let either side, as pleases Fate, prevail,
Our Forces are too faint to turn the Scale:
Spent with the Toils and long Fatigues they bore,
They have not strength enough for suffering more:
Here in the Camp a feeble Guard they lye,
Forward they cannot move, yet will not Fly:
And while my gallant Friend disputes the Field,
All that oppose him must expect to yield.

Fab.
Were not your Fame, my Lord, already known,
'Twould grieve me if he Conquer'd all alone;
For never did the Sun his Beams display,
Or drive his Chariot in a nobler day:
Young Decius, fir'd with over-boyling Blood,
Chafes, Lion-like, to be so long withstood.
Mad with delay, and raging to o'recome,
He rails at Fortune for forsaking Rome:
If e're he could of his Success despair,
He doubts it now, and wishes you were there.

Paul.
Once could my Nature of her self excite
My willing Soul, and warm me to the Fight;
My Spirits of themselves cou'd fire my Frame,
Needing no Foreign Breath to blow the Flame.
But when Enchanting Love had made them droop,
They wanted such a Friend to raise them up.
Let to the Field our shatter'd Forces go,
And ev'ry Son of Rome, tho' fainting, show
A manly Face to the prevailing Foe.
Save the dear Credit of the Roman Name,
And in their Deaths, at least, secure her Fame.

Fab.
O doubt us not, my Lord, we shall subdue,
Fortune and Victory are now in view,
And they have waited all along for you.
Love's Goddess too shall thus espouse your Cause,
For vanquish'd Foes receive the Victor's Laws.

Paul.
Away, my Friend, and bid the Souldiers Arm,
While I can keep my strugling Spirits warm.
[Exit Fabian.
Love, what a God art thou? no Power Divine
Enjoys an Empire uncontroll'd like thine,
O're Land, and Seas, extends thy boundless sway,
And Kings on Earth, and Gods in Heav'n Obey.
Do thou but lift aloft thy Sacred Brand,
It aws the Lightning in the Thund'rer's Hand.
Often have Gods descended from above,
And laid aside their Heavenly Forms, to prove
Joys worthy Gods, which nought can give, but Love.
Thy Power is known in Camps, and midst Alarms,
Thou mak'st the Souldier Languish in his Arms.
In vain, our Drums and Trumpets take our parts,
Their Voice may strike our Ears, but thine our Hearts.
Against thy subtle Power, there's no defence,
Nor would I, if I could, expel thee hence.
I'll drag my Chains, nor covet to be free,
Reign in Venutia, as you Reign in me.

[Exit.
Enter Decius, his Sword drawn.
Dec.
Fortune, which once a foreign Course begun,
Returns within her Native Banks to run;
She would not for a while her Channel know,
But her disorder'd Streams glide smoothly now.
The Britains are at last compell'd to yield,
Yet fierce Cassibelan still keeps the Field.
He saw us, in despight of all his Powers,
Make the proud Queen, and both her Daughters ours.
His Rage redoubled with the killing sight,
Works him to wondrous Actions in the Fight.
Mad at their loss, distracted with his Flame,
He seeks to mend their Fate, or meet the same.

Enter Caska, and Souldiers, forcing in Cassibelan.
Cask.
Press him more home, your blows more closely ply,
Since he disdains submission, let him dye.

Dec.
Stand off, this must my single Conquest be,
And Gods! I thank you, he's reserv'd for me.
Turn hither, and begin a Nobler strife,
And know, you Fight for something more than Life.

Enter Fabian, and runs betwixt them.
Fab.
Hold, I conjure you, hold, your Rage suspend,
And save your Foe, if you would save your Friend.
[To Decius.
Paulinus venturing for your sake too far,
Shares the same Fortune with the Prince in War.
Fate gives you this Occasion to Redeem
Your gen'rous Colleague, by releasing him.

Cass.
Rather than so my Liberty regain,
Contentedly I'll drag the weightiest Chain.
Tho' I should live in shameful Bonds confin'd,
I will not go, and leave my Love behind.
Terms such as these, what Lover would embrace?
To send his Rival to supply his place.
So foolish an Exchange shall never be,
Nor shall your Gen'ral be releas'd thro' me,
If you would free him, set Camilla free.

Dec.
Her freedom is not in my power to grant,
Concerns like those, will his Concurrence want.
Tho' you may view him with a Rival's Eyes,
Let not the smallest jealousie arise,
His Virtue will secure the Charming Prize.
Think on the way a Wise Man would pursue,
The Romans want him, and the Britains you.
Let each his former Station take, then treat
Of Boadicea's, and her Daughter's Fate.

Cass.
Stay—Let me first the Lovely Prisoners see,
And know if they consent to set me free;
I'll do what e'er the Captive Queen desires,
Ex Cassib. and Fabian.
And act as she Commands, and Love inspires.

Dec.
Here, Caska, let your Gen'ral's Sufferings end,
Love shall be mine, since Fortune is my Friend.
Go now, and send my Rival off—but stay,
Form some Design to stop him in the way,
I would not have Paulinus here to day.
Thus does the Plunder of a prosp'rous Field,
All I could ask propitious Fortune yield.
Since then I won her, with extreamest toil,
What hinders, but I now partake the Spoil?
By Heav'n, it shall be so, there lyes my Game,
Yet will I softly first confess my Flame,
With all the low submission Love can Claim;
If Prayer should prove an ineffectual Course,
Rather than fail, I'll seize on Heaven by force.
With Manly Passion to possession move,
And all the Joys in one blest minute prove,
She would deny an Age of whining Love.

[Exit.
Re-enter Cassibelan leading in Boadicea, Camilla, Venutia following.
Cass.
Not all the spiteful Fates have Power to do
Could move me, were they kind, or just to you.
I should not at my own mischance repine,
If your Misfortunes had not doubled mine.
O! could I ever think your sight would be
A Torment, as it grows, alas! to me,
To Camilla.
Now I have no way left to set you free.
It calls the mounting blood into my face,
And makes my troubled Spirits pant a-pace.
Yet Heavn's my Witness, when I saw you seiz'd,
To what transporting Rage my Soul was rais'd;
Forward I rush'd with an impetuous Course,
Provok'd to Deeds exceeding humane force.
But our ill Fates my best Efforts withstood,
For sure no Mortal opposition cou'd.

Boad.
All the Malignant Stars at last have shed
Their venom down on my devoted head.
Your vent'ring in the Fatal Field so far,
Has put an end to our unhappy War.
Did you but lead our yet remaining Powers,
Had you your freedom, we might hope for ours.
But Britain now, no gallant Chief can boast,
In you, the Kingdom, and the Queen are lost.

Cass.
Fortune does here her utmost Malice show,
I dare not now be free, I dare not go,
And leave my lov'd Camilla with my Foe.
If to my proffer'd Liberty I move,
I send a Conquering Rival to my Love.
Paulinus shares my Fate, shall I release,
Or would you have the Roman fill my Place?
First let me, in my Bonds resign my breath,
And rather find my Liberty in Death.

Cam.
Doubt not, my Prince, my Constancy, and Truth,
Once trust a Woman in her blooming youth.
Have I not Sworn by all the Powers Divine,
I never would to other Arms resign,
Never be any Mortal Man's but thine?
Shall I repeat again the frequent Vow,
You must, I know you do believe me now.
Go then, my Love, no Conquering Rival fear,
He shall not gain another Conquest here.
Go Lead again impatient Britain's Powers,
And having got your Freedom, hasten ours.

Cass.
Guide of my Actions, Monarch of my Heart,
Who only from your self can make me part.
No Jealousies of you disturb my rest,
But doubt of Gods, and Fortune, rack my Breast.
I doubt the Roman Virtue quite forgot,
I doubt, (Oh! my sick Soul) what doubt I not?
A thousand dreadful shapes around me fall,
Of thousand ills—and Lovers fear them all.
Yet in despight of all my fears I'll go,
Since you, O! Soul of Love! would have it so.
I'll pay a blind Obedience, and be free,
And live, if possible, a while from thee.

Cam.
Heav'n knows, unwillingly I send you hence,
But oh! I cannot with our Fates dispence.
The sad necessity your self may see,
And you must part, my Prince, to rescue me.
Such means for Bliss, to all Mankind are giv'n,
Ordain'd to dye, e'er they arrive at Heav'n.
My rising griefs work up to that excess,
That Soul and Body severing, suffer less.
But go, while I can bid you, for anon
My hands will hold you, tho' I wish you gon.
Go, and the Gods, in pity to our pain,
Will surely let us meet in Bliss again.

Cass.
Oh! shut not up your Lips, nor lock your Tongue,
My Soul for ever on their Sound had hung;
On your dear looks my famish'd Eyes would dwell,
A thousand things my faultring words would tell,
I'd, talk and touch, and kiss, and then—oh! then farewell;
Another, and another last Embrace,
[Embracing her.
I'le print them on your lovely Lips apace,
And spread ten thousand thousand o're your Face;
Oh! turn not yet away, for now I go.
[Boad. going to lead her off.
When shall we meet again, ye Powers! that know,
Oh! tell me, shall we meet, and when, and how?
My Thoughts, like Waves, roll o're each other fast,
The first confus'dly swallow'd by the last:
My throbbing Heart beats thick, and something bodes
I know not how, nor what; propitious Gods!
If ever pangs like mine were felt above,
From my wrack'd Soul my mortal Fears remove,
[Ex. severally.
Show your Compassion; and preserve my Love.

Manet Venutia.
Ven.
It cannot sure be true, it cannot be,
Paulinus should so soon abandon me;
'Till from himself I can his falsehood know,
I will not, for my ease, conclude him so;
But then—Oh Heaven! if he confesses—then
What Woman will believe a Man again?
Our Sex is govern'd by severest Laws,
Mutes only in our most important Cause:
We walk like troubled Shades with silence Curst,
And must not speak, 'till those we haunt, speak first.
Stronger than Men's are all our mad Desires,
And yet we struggle to suppress our Fires;
In vain, alas! we think to keep them pent,
While every look and action give them vent:
Our Passion breaks through all the thin disguise,
Our panting Heart speaks what our Tongue denys,
The Love that tears our Breasts, will tremble at our Eyes.

[Exit.
The SCENE draws, and discovers Camilla asleep, asleep; she wakes, and comes forward.
Cam.
Where am I! or, oh Heav'n! where have I been?
And what distracting Visions have I seen?
Methoughts within some dark and dismal Grove,
I lay lamenting my departed Love:
Fierce Wolves howl'd loud, and Lyons roar'd-round,
And Tygers bounded o're the Neighbouring ground.
The savage Satyrs from the Woods advanc'd,
And all about in Antick Measures danc'd;
The sight of them my killing Fears increast,
But Man came next more Savage than the rest;
He seiz'd, and clasp'd me close, and sternly, swore
That I should ease, at last, the Pangs he bore;
He press'd and struggl'd hard, and I at length
Must have surrendred to the Tyrant's strength;
When, in compassion to my fearful Pains,
The God of sleep loos'd his perplexing Chains.

Enter Decius.
Dec.
Stay, charming Princess, stay; oh! do not flee,
Turn, lovely, barbarous Beauty, turn, and see
The wondrous force and rage of Love in me;
'Tis not a sudden Heat, or new-born Flame;
From your first sight, long since, my Passion came.
In Medway's Flood, you kindled my desires,
And shot into my Soul resistless Fires;
My Flames grow now too fierce, too wild to move
In the known Tracks, or beaten Paths of Love.
They scorn to go by just Degrees about,
But break, at once, like hasty Lightning out.
You look astonish't, and the strange surprize
Rolls wildly in your lovely charming Eyes.
You start, as from a Dream, and seem to take
Time to consider if you're yet awake,
While your amazement will not let you speak.

Cam.
Well may amazement seize a Captive Maid,
By cruel Stars to faithless Foes betray'd,
Nor know I whither your Discourse can tend,
You spoke before in favour of your Friend;
But know, that both so little I esteem,
I scorn it equally from you or him.
Grow as renown'd as Cæsar in your Wars,
Get your great Name enroll'd among the Stars,
Ride on triumphant o're the Conquer'd Ball,
Your being born a Roman ruins all.

Dec.
That more confirms your Power, and serves to show
Love only could reduce a Roman Foe.
To such a pitch my wing'd Affections soar,
I love not now my Fame or Honour more;
Your Sighs within your swellng Bosom keep,
Dry up your Tears, for here you must not weep.
I'le make your Liberty again your own,
I'le seat you on Imperial Britain's Throne,
Whence all around, your Royal Eyes shall see
No Slave so proud to serve, as I should be.

Cam.
Tho' Liberty is all I wish or want,
Of you, I will not ask, or take the grant:
Know then, to show you your desires are vain,
I loath your Person, and your Love disdain.
Let Hounds and Fawns, let Wolves and Lambs be join'd
Each Creature coupling with a different kind;
Then by the same blind Change of Nature led,
Let Britains with the barbarous Romans wed.

Dec.
Take heed, injurious Fair, and blow not up
My Flames, already grown too fierce to stop;
Rather with milder words my Pains asswage,
Or Love rejected will convert to Rage:
Now, by the Gods, I must, I will be blest,
Those Beauties were ordain'd to be possest,
[holding her.
And you, who broke it, shall restore my rest.

Cam.
Pollute me not with your detested touch,
[breaking from him.
My Ears already have endur'd too much.
Heaven will no farther let me be betray'd,
But work some Miracle to save a Maid.
I see dread Jove on high Olympus stand,
And hear the Thunder grumbling in his Hand,
Ready to hurle it on your impious Head,
And if you dare to wrong me, dash you dead.

Dec.
Weak Fancies of some undigested Dream,
Do what we will, the Gods are still the same;
Stretch'd at their Ease within their blissful Bowers,
They mind their Pleasures, and disturb not ours;
But tho' they should on your behalf appear,
They shall not force me from a Bliss so near,
I love too well, too fiercely to forbear.

Cam.
Heav'n! I must let my just Resentments fall,
They, but provoke him more, and ruin all.
[Aside.
If you would have your Passion understood,
To show your Love, act as a Lover shou'd.
Possession is the least and poorest part,
Not worth your taking 'till you win the Heart;
Then only is the Bliss entire and whole,
When with the Body you enjoy the Soul.
Long Services alone should that obtain,
And not one hasty Love Confession, gain.
With humble Looks, and awful Homage sue,
With doubts, despairs, and deep distractions woo,
Give me those proofs, and try what they may do.

Dec.
Believe I love,
That I already have not snatch'd the Heav'n
Within my reach, but waited 'till 'twere given:
You see me strangely chang'd from what I was,
A change which none but you could ever cause.
In all my former Wars when Towns were won,
And prostrate Beauties crouded up my way,
My boundless Rage forbore to rifle none,
Seizing on whom I pleas'd as lawful Prey,
Scorn'd when enjoy'd, and cheaply cast away,
Ambition govern'd all my life before,
None of these tender Sentiments I knew,
'Till first I saw you in a happy Hour;
When with my Eyes, fix'd upon yours, I drew
The welcome Pain, and pleasing smart from you.
Love started late, but fled with wondrous haste,
Using his utmost speed to reach the Goal,
On his stretch'd Wings he shot himself so fast,
He sits enthron'd already in my Soul,
Diffus'd as soon as enter'd, thro' the whole.
Choose then, dear Charmer, choose the mildest Course,
[Kneeling,
Yield quickly, yield those Joys, my Heavenly fair;
I cannot forfeit, and I would not force,
Yield to this Love, to this submissive Prayer,
And do not, do not drive me to despair.
Thus let me take possession of your Charms,
[rising and holding her.
Thus trembling with the Transport grasp my Bliss,
Thus fold your Beauties in my ravish'd Arms;
Print on your balmy Lips this burning Kiss,
Faint with an extasie of Joy like this.

Cam.
What shall I say to move the Tyrant's Soul?
[Aside.
[to him]
O take the Kingdoms I was born to rule,
Your Sway, let my revolted Subjects own,
Seize on the Scepter, and ascend the Throne.
Gladly I would the World's large Rule resign,
And leave you all, leave but Honour mine.

Dec.
The World is not a Ransom for your Charms,
Nor Men, nor Gods, shall snatch you from my Arms.
Take Courage, Fair, dispel your Virgin Fears,
And let my longing Lips drink up your Tears;
With transport to your Ravisht Lover move,
Crown both our Joys, and give a loose to Love,
Thus let me pour my sighs upon your Breast,
And softly lull my Feverish Soul to rest.
Thus let me run your Beauties o're and o're,
Enjoying all, yet still desiring more.

[Embracing her.
Cam.
Change me to something, Heaven! deform'd and soul,
Blot from my Face the Charms that fir'd his Soul.
Give me the Monstrous Gorgon's dreadful Head,
That I may look this fouler Monster dead:
Make me as loathsome, and as hideous be,
As much abhor'd by him as he's by me.

Dec.
O! still continue thus, relentless fair,
Rack me with doubts, and drive me to despair;
Sure if you wound so deeply with your scorn,
Your kindness cannot be by Mortal born:
O! still refuse to meet my fierce desires,
My own are hot enough, suppress your Fires;
And yet your lovely Cheeks begin to glow,
And strugling warmth strikes out—why, let it now?
Your yielding Heart, would to my Wish incline,
Methinks I feel it beat, and leap at mine.
Your panting Breast sends up your sighs apace,
And soft Consent sits blushing on your Face:
Love Dawns, and his resistless Fires arise,
And now they lighten fast from both our Eyes;
Ye Gods! if one must perish in the Fire,
Let Semele be safe and Jove expire.

Cam.
Oh! that my Eyes like Basilisks could roll,
And dart their pointed glances thro' thy Soul.
Still will you, Cruel Heaven! your aid deny?
Is it so hard to give me leave to dye?
Gods! if you ever are concern'd to know,
The barbarous Crimes done hourly here below,
Exert your selves, and show your Justice now.
Without distinction, let your Vengeance strike,
Confounding Guilt and Innocence alike;
Drive us on Precipices, Daggers, Flames,
Dash'd against Rocks, or dround in rapid Streams,
So either dies, 'tis all your Suppliant claims.

Dec.
Death! I shall trifle all the time away,
Now my desires will brook no more delay.
Who waits within? Hence with this foolish Maid,
[Enter Sold.
And see the Charge I gave you be obey'd.
'Tis your own fault, I take the roughest course.
she kneels, and holds by him.
Kneel not, rejected Love knows no remorse;
Tear off her hold, and drag her hence by force.

The Souldiers drag her along the Stage as she speaks.
Cam.
Oh! now, good Gods! now let your succour come,
Gape Earth, gape wide, and hide me in your Womb;
Fall Heav'n, and crush me with the pond'rous blow,
O're my drown'd Coarse, let rolling Oceans flow.
Forsake me Life, fly my detested Breath
From my curs'd Lungs, give me some hold of Death.
'Tis done; I thank you, Gods, my Fears are o're;
And Tyrant, I am now beyond your Power.

Swoons, and is carried off in the Souldiers Arms.
Dec.
Away, she shall not long entrans'd remain,
I'll quickly bring her back to Life again.
My Soul is straining to the full delight,
Gods! let me have this one, this charming Night;
Put but my Pleasures out of Fortune's power,
Then come whatever can, I've had my Hour.

[Exit.