University of Virginia Library

SCENE IX.

Dorisbe looks out of a Balcony of the Castle with a Dagger in her hand.
[They all rise
Dor.
Tyrant, look up, and see
[to Arsinoe.
How much in Death I scorn thee!
There, sate thy thirsty Soul.

[She stabs her self, and throws over the Dagger.
Pel.
Save, save, the Princess Life.

Arsin.
Make haste, break up the Door.

Dor.
O feeble Arm!
What must I live?
Give me the Dagger back;
I'll strike again!

Fer.
Cruel Dorisbe!
You mistook the Heart;
I feel the Wound by which you bleed;
[He faints leaning on one of the Guards.
O fatal sight!

[Dorisbe is brought in by the Guards slightly wounded.
Arsin.
Princess, you are much to blame!

Pel.
You wrong our Clemency.

Arsin.
I would have sav'd your Life.

Pel.
And I your Fame.

Dor.
Can you forgive me then?

Arsin.
I will, and can.

Fer.
O name that Word again!
Name it a thousand times.

[He kneels to Arsinoe, who bids him rise.
Dor.
Much to your Pity I, Feraspe, owe,
And out of Pity I can love you now.

Fer.
But can you love, and live?

Dor.
The Wound's not dangerous, I believe.

Fer.
Immortal Gods!
What Joy, what Bliss?

Arsin.
When Love does cure,
What we endure?

All three.
And Wounds compleat our Happiness.

Pel.
Then tell it in the Cyprian Groves,
Tell it all the laughing Loves.

Arsin.
While the tuneful Quire plays,
While the tripping Satyrs bound.

Fer.
While they sooth us with their Lays,
While the Woods and Hills resound.

Pel.
We envy not Jove
In Grandeur above;
Altho' we endure
Such Pain for a Cure,
Who live in the Realm of Love.

A full CHORUS of all the Voices.
Then tell it in the Cyprian Groves,
Tell it all the laughing Loves;
While the tuneful Quire plays,
While the tripping Satyrs bound;
While they sooth us with their Lays,
While the Woods and Hills resound.
We envy not Jove
In Grandeur above;
Altho' we endure
Such Pain for a Cure,
Who live in the Realm of LOVE.