University of Virginia Library

SCENE V.

The Field.
Enter Tigranes in disorder, his Sword in his Hand, as from Fight.
Tigr.
All is lost: A hopeless Flight
Succeeds the desperate Fight.
Cyrus, glutted now with Blood,
Swells with his own the Purple Flood.
Barr'd a Retreat, in vain the Persians fly;
In vain they Scythian Mercy try:
I both disdain; and wou'd but bravely die.
AIR.

Enter a Party of Scythian Soldiers, whom Tigranes engages till he is wounded; and Orontes enters.
Oro.
Hold! Scythians!—Let a nobler Fate—
Sciti, fermate il pie. Piu nobil Fato—

Tigr.
Victorious Prince, you come too late—
Yet enough you Fatal prove,
And doubly kill me, in Cleora's Love.

Oro.
Oh! Live! Tho' for her to contend—
Vivi per contrastarmi il suo possesso.

Tigr.
Too near my End,
That Comfort Fate denies.

Oro.
Yet strive to live—Help! bear hence
The wounded Prince,
And save a Life a Prize.
The Soldiers lead off Tigranes.
Voi soccorrete il Principe ferito,
E una vita, ch'io stimo a lai serbate.

Ex. Tigranes and Soldiers.
Enter Baldo.
Bald.
Hail! Prince, who the Day retriev'd,
Who came, and sav'd, when lost believ'd!
To your Valor Vict'ry's owing.
See our Tears with Joy now flowing:
Soon your Sight the Queen will cheer,
And the Princess—

Oro.
Oh! She's here.
Oh! lei sen viene.

Enter Cleora.
AIR.
Cleo.
I revive now you're returning,
All my Mourning
Is lost in Joy.
Oh! I ne'er can bear the Pleasure.
Sorrow pain'd above all Measure;
Joyful Transports now destroy.

Re-enter Tigranes supported.
“Cleo.
Oh! Like a fatal Dart,
“Surprize, and Pity wound my Heart.
“Tigranes!—who this Sight can bear!

“Tig.
Oh! you o'er-pay me with a Tear.
“You give Pleasure in Despair.
“I must leave you.
“I'll not grieve you.
“To Superior Merit due,
“While Life and you I lose, let others for you live.
“When a pitying Tear you give,
“'Tis more to die for you.

Cleo.
Unhappy Prince!

Exit. Tigranes supported.
Enter Thomyris.
Oro.
The Queen!
[Kneels.
La Regina.

Tho.
My Son!
Oh! rise! thou Guardian of my Throne!

Oro.
No! Let me rooted here remain,
Till I from you new Life obtain.
Can I without Cleora live?
Life without Love no Joy can give.
No, lasciate, chio non posso
Viver mai senza Cleora.
Chi sa viver senza amare
Non sa viver, ma penare.

Tho.
Rise! be happy;
I comply.

Oro.
Oh! now you drown my Soul with Joy.
O qual gioia il cor m'inonda!

AIR.
Tho.
Pleasure calls: Fond Hearts recover!
Fears are over.
Let the Lover
At last enjoy.
May the Passion sweetly pain you,
Kindly chain you,
And never cloy.

Oron.
Soul of Pleasure, now to you
I for Life again must sue.
The Queen permits Possessing;
But Heav'n, and you, must grant the Blessing.
Or dimando a voi la vita,
Mio Tesor! Doppo Tomiri
Tocca al Cielo, e tocca a voi
D'accordarla a i miei desiri.

“Cleo.
Oh! ask no more what Fate's denying.
“Let me rather share the Ruin
“All my Persian Friends pursuing,
“Than blush at my complying.

“Oron.
Oh! Reprieve me.

“Cleo.
Leave me! Leave me!

“Med.
When of Friends War has bereft me,
“Will you lose the last that's left you!

“Cleo.
Hope's denied me.

“Oron.
Then I must no longer sue.
“Adieu! Adieu, to Life, and you.

[Going.
“Cleo.
Oh! Mortal Anguish! Oh! my Fears!
“Stay! 'tis more than Death to lose you.
Give me Time to dry my Tears.
I wou'd, but Love cannot refuse you.

Oron.
Oh, Joy! Oh, Blessing!
Past expressing.
Dolce gioia! indicibil piacere!

AIR,
Cleo.
Lost in Pleasure,
Love beguiling,
Oh! you disarm me.

Oron.
Oh, my Treasure!
Kindly Smiling,
Oh! how you charm me.
Oh! mia vita!
Oh! mia speme!
Oh! mio Tesoro!

“Tho.
Bless the Pow'rs that grant the Blessing!

“Med.
Let the wond'ring World applaud!

“Oron.
Share our Joys, all Hearts possessing;

“All.
Lov'd at Home, and fear'd Abroad.

CHORUS.
Love and Vertue the Conquest obtain.
Peace shall last;
Freedom by Union shall gain:
All Danger is past.
Victorious,
And Glorious,
Astrea's Reign
The Blessings shall maintain.