University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Urania discover'd Reading. A Song within.
SONG.
Written by a Person of Quality. Sung by Mrs. Boteler.

Uran.
In vain, alas! you strive to give me Ease:
Musick to lull my Pains, dull soothing Flattery!
The pressing weight that hangs upon my Soul,
Nought but my dear Cesario can remove:
All Props are weak where the Foundation's Love.

Enter Oswell.
Osw.
O Royal Mourner, lovely in thy Tears!
Thus low I fall to beg a blushing Pardon,
For the sad Story I am doom'd to tell.

Uran.
How, my Heart trembles! speak, what is't, Sir?
If there be yet a greater Grief in store,
Speak it, and kill Urania with the Sound.
Yes, Oswell, play the generous Executioner:
Give me the last kind, finishing Stroke of Mercy,
And end my lingring Torments at a Blow.

Osw.
The Gods, and all good Powers guard your Life;
And O that I had dy'd e'er liv'd Commission'd,
For this ungrateful Charge: doom'd to pronounce
The only Sound can make Urania wretched.

Uran.
I guess the Horrour, yet I fear to know it.

Osw.
And I, thus trembling, stand and fear to utter it,
Yet you must hear it, yes, the fatal Sound
Must reach your Ears, and some curst Tongue must tell you
Your dear Cesario's murder'd.

Uran.
Murder'd!

Osw.
Yes, murder'd by the King's Command.

Uran.
Enough, Oh cruel Father!

Osw.
The Prince, my Master, toucht with his long Sufferings,
Heard, but too late, of the King's harsh Decree,
And flew, with Eagle's speed, to stop the Blow,
But Oh too late! their bloody butchering hands,
Already were imbru'd in his warm Blood;
His last words pardon'd his unhappy Rival,
And as o'th' Ground they lay claspt Arm in Arm,
Like faithful Friends, they mourn'd each others Fortune.

Uran.
Oh speak no more!

Osw.
Yes, I am bound to speak:
The Prince, as by Cesario's side he lay,
With truest Tears bathing his bleeding Wounds,
And, with these words, thrown in like precious Balm,
Had almost stopt the Journey of his Soul.
Live, live, (said he) Urania is thy own,
To make Atonement for thy mighty Wrongs,
I'll quit my Love.

Uran.
Dissembling Infidel!

[Aside.
Osw.
But when he saw his Veins did ebb too fast,
And Life flew swift away, he snatcht his Sword,
And, e'er my Hand cou'd reach to stop the Blow,
Plung'd it in's Breast, but did not reach his Heart;
Which when Cesario saw, he graspt his Hands,
Begging that he would live, and call'd him Friend,
Go to that widow'd Fair, (said he) the poor Urania,
But first prepare her for the dismal Story:
Tell her 'tis now too late for her to grieve;
And as she ever lov'd her dying Husband,
Bid her obey the King, who, though unkind,
Is still my Sovereign, and her Royal Father.
More he'd have said, but hasty Death rush'd in,
And his last words bequeath'd you Ferdinand's.

Uran.
Ferdinand's, did he, Cou'd he call me his,
My unkind Lord, didst thou then think I'd live,
After thy Death, and live within his Arms,
[Aside.
The Cursed Author of our Cruel Fortunes:
Though with a painted shew of Treacherous Grief,
He cast a mist before thy dying Eyes.
[Aside.
The Masque's too thin for mine—Pray Sir, retire—
[To Osw.
And tell Prince Ferdinand, 'twill not be long,
Ere I am happy in his love—or Heavens—

[Aside.
Osw.
I shall obey your Highness—Oh true Woman—
[Aside.
The living still are valu'd, not the dead—

[Ex. Osw.
Uran.
It is decreed, I must not stay behind.
Yes, yes my Father, thou sha't see thy Daughter,
When all her Veins stream with a purple source;
Then he may pity me, and shed one tear;
Sure Nature will compel him to do that.

Enter Ardelia.
Ard.
Madam, the King Commanded me to wait you
Straight to the Palace.

Uran.
I'll attend his Call.
Now my Cesario, in what e'er bright Region,
The Mansion of the blest, where Martyr'd truth,
And faithful Love in wreaths of Glory shine,
I'll find thee out, and mix my Soul with thine.
Think not mistaken King, Cesario's Grave,
The narrow Gulph of parting Worlds between us,
Shall be a bar to love resolv'd like mine.
Yes, Dearest Martyr, 'tis by Love decreed,
That thy Urania at thy Stake shall bleed;
Since Faith and Truth such poor Rewards are given,
What is deny'd on Earth, we'll seek in Heaven.

[Ex.