Andronicus Comnenius A Tragedy |
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 | Andronicus Comnenius |  |
SCE. V.
Enter Andronicus solus.
Thus far 'tis well, and I return'd again,
To thank thee Greece; nor have thy wrongs been sown
On barren ground, but such as shall repay
The principal, with its forbearance too:
To thank thee Greece; nor have thy wrongs been sown
On barren ground, but such as shall repay
The principal, with its forbearance too:
I am a Prince; who dares deny't; He breathes
His last, that answers no: He damns his soul
In that one negative: There's but a step
'Twixt me, and the imperial Crown:—Nor shou'd
That coward wear't, that dares not venture for't:
Was this the reason, my blind Mistris, that
You strook at me? That thus you deal with all,
Fortune (like butchers) makes the fairest fall:
But stay—I'me still upon my feet, and will
Keep up my chin in spight of her; if she
Will not assist, the world shall know I can
Do it without her help; nor shall she share,
A doit i'th' praise, when I arriv'd at top,
Thus—grasp my wish;—Yet say I were as flat
As she could lay me; at the lowest Ebb;
I would not yet give out; 'twere poor to fear,
Who is past hope, he should be past dispair:
I'll run the hazard then, and if I fall,
What in me lies, I'll pluck all after me;
Nor leave behind me such a one that shall
So much as mutter't—No—my very name
Shall fright the world—And make future times
Fondly attempt my History, but not reach it.
Who follow, tead where men have trod before;
Who is example, must be some thing more.
(Exit.)
His last, that answers no: He damns his soul
In that one negative: There's but a step
'Twixt me, and the imperial Crown:—Nor shou'd
That coward wear't, that dares not venture for't:
Was this the reason, my blind Mistris, that
You strook at me? That thus you deal with all,
Fortune (like butchers) makes the fairest fall:
But stay—I'me still upon my feet, and will
17
Will not assist, the world shall know I can
Do it without her help; nor shall she share,
A doit i'th' praise, when I arriv'd at top,
Thus—grasp my wish;—Yet say I were as flat
As she could lay me; at the lowest Ebb;
I would not yet give out; 'twere poor to fear,
Who is past hope, he should be past dispair:
I'll run the hazard then, and if I fall,
What in me lies, I'll pluck all after me;
Nor leave behind me such a one that shall
So much as mutter't—No—my very name
Shall fright the world—And make future times
Fondly attempt my History, but not reach it.
Who follow, tead where men have trod before;
Who is example, must be some thing more.
| Andronicus Comnenius | |