University of Virginia Library

SCENE V.

As he is going Charlotte enters.
Charlotte.
Where's Freeman? Where's
My Husband? Are you here? Give me my Father.—
Is this the Joy, is this the Paradise,
The nuptial Boon which, with a thousand Sighs,
And glowing Kisses, you promis'd me?—What?
Sent you your Father forth to murder mine?
Know that the Wound of which my Father dy'd
Has kill'd your Wife, has kill'd your loving Wife.

Y. Freeman.
O! think that ev'ry Tear my Charlotte sheds,
Draws from her Freeman's Heart the sanguin Drops.

Charlotte.
O! O!

[She leans on him, and sighs.
Y. Freeman.
Yield not, my Love, yield not, my Life,
So much to Grief; for ev'ry Sigh you fetch
Flys to my Breast, and does the Dagger's Office.
Soul of my Soul look up, and see, in me,
A Father, Husband, Lover, and a Friend.

Mrs. Freeman
O! Sight of Woe! too much for me to bear!
I must withdraw myself, or sink beneath
The Weight of Sorrow which their Griefs bring on me.
Hide me ye Hills, and cover me from Day;
Nor ever let me taste of Comfort more,
Till my lov'd Children, and my much lov'd Husband,
Are free from Danger, and to Joy restor'd.

[She goes.