University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

Enter Feraspe.
Fer.
Great Queen!

Arsin.
Feraspe, you too long detain
The Prince of Athens Pris'ner.
[Pointing to Pelops.
[Feraspe sets him at Liberty.
Haste, set him free:
This Day shall crown
My Love, and his Fidelity.

Dor.
What Hope for me remains?

[Aside.
Arsin.
And let Dorisbe wait
A Pris'ner in his Place,
'Till with less Anger I resolve her Fate.

Pelops.
Permit me, Royal Fair,
[kneeling to Arsinoe.
To vent the Raptures of my Soul;
I scarce know how to bear
This mighty swelling Tide of Joy!
Your Captive I so long have been,
I must petition now to be so still.

Arsin.
If Freedom you refuse,
What is it I can give,
Or you can chuse?

Pelops.
While I do Homage to your Eyes,
I still enjoy the Liberty I lose.

Arsin.
Rise, generous Prince,
[He rises and bows.
If you by me
Have lost your Liberty,
I give my self to set you free.

Pelops.
Thus then I mark you, thus and thus,
And thus I seal my own.

[Kisses her Hand four times at each Thus.
Arsin.
My Dear, my Joy!

Pelops.
My Life, my Goddess!

Arsin.
Yours for ever.

Pelops.
True as ever;

Arsin.
Cupid! ever
May this happy Transport last.

[Both.
Arsin.
Still desiring,

Pelops.
Still expiring,

Arsin.
Still refining,

Pelops.
Still repining

Both.
At each Minute that is past.

Both.
Still desiring,
Still expiring,
Still refining,
Still repining
At each Minute that is past.

[They go off Hand in Hand.