University of Virginia Library

SCENE the Fourth.

Almeyda, Phænissa.
Alm.
Phænissa, speak no more; this fatal News
Deprives my Soul of ev'ry Thought but Horror.
Scarce two short Hours since we were wrapt in Joys,
And nought but Praises to the bounteous Gods
Were issued from our Lips, in Gratitude
For their past Favours: But this last Relapse
Of Fate, this Renovation of Distress—

Phæ.
Tho' I can scarcely answer for my Tears,
(The Sympathy of Sorrow catch'd from you)
Yet would I save Almeyda from Despair,
And tune my Words with comfortable Hope.

Alm.
Canst thou be touch'd thus sensibly with Grief?
Weep and bewail Afflictions not thy own?
Judge from that Grief Almeyda's greater Cause.

Phæ.
Yet hope—

Alm.
Propose that Hope to those who never knew
The Pangs of Love thus sever'd and distress'd.
Perhaps this Instant my Alucius dies,
Is basely murder'd—Can Almeyda hope?
Or, if she must, 'tis only for a Grave,
A Dagger, or some Poison to dispatch
A hateful, tiresome Life

Phæ.
Have Patience, Madam;
Let not this Phrenzy Rage to such Extreams.

Alm.
Preach Patience to the loud and whistling Winds,
Bid Ocean, when his swelling Surges rise,
Forego his Rage, and in a Moment calm.
Patience! Oh ye Powers! can I be patient
Under such Tortures?—Oh release me, Death!

Phæ.
For Heav'n's Sake!

Alm.
Heav'n (alas!) has cast me off,
And turn'd me out a Wand'rer and forlorn:
Destitute of Help both Humane and Divine,
A Prostitute to Mis'ry and Despair:
What Hopes, or what Dependance can I place
On Heav'n? Oh Alucius! Oh Almeyda!
Methinks I hear the Raven's croaking Note,
Alucius' Death is sounded in that Voice:
He shall not die alone, my self will haste
And fold his dying Body, till one Fate
Shall ease us both, both share the dreadful Blow,
And to the Gloom of Death together go.

[Exit disorder'd.