University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Weldon enters.
Weldon.
There stands a friend, so much he shares my heart,
Whose peace I value equal to my own;
Yet must his ears receive a tale from me
That to his early joys
Will prove like blightings to the budding flow'rs:
But 'tis a tale that, if I shou'd not tell it,
He soon must hear from a less friendly voice:
And tho it may 'e're long seem strange that I
Shou'd chuse to be the bearer of the news,
Yet 'tis an office that becomes me well,
Because I shall,
With the same hand with which I give the wound,
Pour in a balm to mitigate the pain.
(To himself.
Joy to my Freeman and his charming bride;
And much I wish that I cou'd give ye both
More comfort than I bring.

Y. Freeman.
Welcome the dear companion of my youth,
My much lov'd Weldon: thou art come, my friend,
To share
And to encrease the pleasures of the day.
Thus plac'd betwixt ye, I've the best reward
That honour can expect,
Friendship in one hand, in the other love:
But, methinks, my friend,
You wear a sadness in your countenance,
That suits the present hour but ill.

Weldon.
I've at my heart
A burden that I must unload to you,
And you alone: and, tho the season
Seems but ill chosen for a task like this,
It must not be delay'd.
Forgive me, heav'nly bride, if I exact
From you what hard necessity requires,
And from your side,
For some few moments, take your faithful mate.

Y. Freeman.
Go in, my love; and there expect me soon;
Thou beauty that art always in my eye!

Charlotte.
Whate'er my beauty is, my only pride
Is plac'd in my obedience and my love.

(She goes.