University of Virginia Library

ACT I.

SCENE I.

A Room in the Castle.
Flourish. Shouts within, Long live FREDERICK, Emperor of Germany .
Then enter Anspach, Anhalt, and Baden.
Anspach.
Louder! yet louder! let the gen'ral Joy
Proclaim high Heav'n's beneficent Decree!
Let Earth, and Air, and Seas, partake the Sound,
And Eccho spread throughout the list'ning Globe,
That Frederick is elected!—O my Friends!
How vast's the Transport to an honest Heart!

Anh.
Never was Man bless'd with more Princely Graces.
Superior Courage, Justice, and Clemency,
Shine with full Lustre in him; yet temper'd
With such Discretion, that the Boast of Age
Blushes to see itself in Youth out-done.
His very Passions are a Virtue in him,
Because for Virtue's Sake alone they're rais'd.

Bad.
Yet how averse are some to their own Good!
Or what avails the sacred Name of Piety,
When Ecclesiasticks themselves oppose it?
Mentz, by his Deputy Ridolpho, urg'd
Such Arguments against our Hero's Claim,
As had well-nigh balanc'd the dubious Cause.

Ansp.
Interest is now the God that most Men worship.
Full well does that ambitious Prelate know
He shortly must be call'd to dear Account,
For those Donations, Rights, and Privileges,
The lavish Hand of Wenceslaus conferr'd,
Plucking the Feathers from the Eagle's Wings
T'adorn his Minions, and bribe private Sanctions
For publick Injuries, and the Empire's Shame.
Weak and luxurious Princes are the Tools,
By which State-Villains fashion out their Ends.

Anh.
Another Year had Wenceslaus maintain'd
The Name of Emperor, the Power had ceas'd,
And Germany been parcell'd into Lordships.
Venice already mocks our easy Tameness,
And the proud Milanese unjustly holds
Cities; nor Birth, nor Conquest made his Right
But see! the great Redeemer of our Laws,
The Godlike Frederick comes! Immortal Fame
Hovers, methinks, o'er his Imperial Head,
Blazoning his Virtues to th'admiring World.

Enter Frederick, Guards and Attendants.
Ansp.
Hail to the Hero, whom not wild Ambition,
But supream Merit raises to Sov'reign Sway:
Who by past Deeds secures our future Hopes,
Restores this Empire to her former Glory,
And makes her faded Lawrels spring afresh.

Anh.
To all Posterity be this Day mark'd out,
And solemniz'd with all the Pomp of Gladness,
As the bless'd Æra of Felicity.

Bad.
What have not all good Men t'expect from him,
Whose early Courage, Wisdom, and Piety,
Show Heaven is his first Care; his Country's Honour
The next consider'd, and his own Interest last,
And least remember'd.

Fred.
I thank you, Princes.
Your Praises speak what 'tis I ought to be;
And will, I hope, instruct me to deserve them.

Ansp.
'Tis sure, Great Sir! the Task you undertake
Will draw all Eyes upon you; and some there are,
Who will not fail to judge ev'n your best Actions
In the worst Sense. Vast will your Glory be,
If you surmount the Malice of your Foes:
But equal your Dishonour, if deficient
To the high-rais'd Expectance of your Friends.

Anh.
The German Powers, so long without a Head,
For Wenceslaus was none, seem warring Members,
Each to particular Interests attach'd,
Rending the Body of the common Good.
It therefore calls for the most active Courage,
And almost more than human Policy,
To stop the daring Progress of their Pride,
And once more humble, and unite their Forces.

Fred.
O my good Lords! oft have I weigh'd this Truth
With Thoughts might quell Ambition, did my Wish
Prompt me to lord it o'er my Fellow Princes.
And, were it not for Hope, that, through the Aid
Of that All-pow'rful Being, in whom I trust,
To do as much as Mortal can, to give
My poor distracted Country Ease; I swear,
Some other should acquit th'important Charge:
While I, content with my own native Brunswick,
And free from Envy, and contending Factions,
Should be engross'd but by one pleasing Care,
To bless the People I was born to rule.

Ansp.
Mistake not, Sir! the Freedom of our Speech,
For Ignorance of your Worth, or Envy of it:
Too well we know your great Desert, to doubt
You'll fail in ought befitting that high Place,
To which the Voice of Heaven itself has call'd you.
But 'tis the fawning Courtier's Part to strow
Flow'rs o'er the thorny Path, and smooth the Prospect.
'Tis ours to point the threat'ning Dangers out,
That Wisdom, ever wakeful, may avoid them.

Fred.
Cousin of Anspach, well I know your Love:
Yours, noble Anhalt too, and princely Baden.
Still let your Counsels guide my willing Reason;
That Prince who would maintain the Reins of Empire,
Tho' he have Eagle's Eyes, and Lyon's Heart,
Quick to discern, and vigorous to oppose
The deep laid Schemes of artful Villainy,
Must not depend upon himself alone:
For oft the Mist of Flattery comes between
His sharpest Penetration, and the Truth;
Or Prepossession stirs some erring Passion,
And hurries him to Deeds which taint his Glory.
But, for a while, leave we the Toils of State:
Say, when arrives my better Part, my Anna?

Anh.
Scarce yet an Hour since I beheld a Courier
Make speed to th'Palace Gate; his Packet waits
Your Leisure to peruse; but this I learn'd
By Word of Mouth, that your Imperial Consort,
Under the Conduct of Duke Wirtemberg,
Is on the Road, and will be here this Day.

Fred.
She is welcome.—But let us haste t'examine
The Purport of those Letters. Your Presence,
Princes! may there be necessary.—Besides,
The Deputy of Mentz, Ridolpho, comes;
With him the Nephew of that haughty Prelate:
'Tis best t'avoid them; I wou'd not be provok'd
To feast their Malice with ought unbecoming
The Dignity of my Temper, or Degree.

[Exeunt.
Enter Count Waldec and Ridolpho.
Rid.
Mark with what Pride the Pageant-Greatness moves!
How scornfully he turn'd his Eyes upon us:
As he would say, I'm now above your Hate:
I've reach'd the utmost Summit of Ambition,
And, at my Will, can crush your feeble Malice,

Wald.
Wondrous, methinks it is, three Hours short Space
Should work so vast a Change, in Minds that seem'd
So much resolv'd: 'Twas but this very Morning,
When Reverend Treves and Cologne jointly vow'd,
With all their Might, to favour Princely Robert,
And curb th'Ambition of aspiring Brunswick.
Bavaria too appear'd, determin'd then;
Say therefore, from what hidden Motive springs
So sudden a Reverse?

Rid.
Had these stood firm,
No Power on Earth could have debarr'd our Wish;
Had they but back'd, what, in my Master's Name,
As first Elector, and Arch-Chancellor,
I spoke, and was my Right first to be heard,
Old talking Saxony, and Brandenburgh,
In vain had pleaded.

Wald.
'Twas they then turn'd the Scale?

Rid.
As you have heard some noisy boasting Quack,
Bawl out the Virtues of his paltry Drugs,
And draw the list'ning Populace around;
So did they strain their Throats in wild Applause
Of Frederick's Courage, Conduct, Fortitude;
The Battles he had fought; each petty Danger,
With all the Pomp of Words was magnify'd:
But above all, his Piety, and the Zeal,
They aim'd to prove, he bore for publick Good,
Influenc'd the whole Assembly, and unnerv'd
Their feeble Resolutions Fearful to offend
Heaven, in the Person of this virtuous Prince,
The conscious Prelates ceas'd all Opposition:
Bavaria's study'd Arguments were silenc'd,
And I alone remain'd to stem the Torrent.

Wald.
How vain, alas! when Numbers were against you.
Well! we must learn to flatter now, and thank
The gracious Hand that robs us of our Rights;
For oft this Frederick has been heard to say,
He would revoke, if ever he were Emperor,
Whate'er the Bounty of Wenceslaus conferr'd
Or fold for Money to support his Grandeur.
Now we shall feel the Effect.

Rid.
Perhaps not so.
Fate may have yet some mystick Act in Store,
Which may redeem our Hopes, lost as they seem.
Somewhat this Brain divines; but dubious yet,
Will not reveal my Meaning. As I left Mentz,
Having receiv'd Instructions necessary
How to behave in this important Cause,
Th'Archbishop put into my Hand a Paper
Seal'd with his proper Signet, charging me
On no Excuse whate'er to open it,
Unless in Spite of all our Opposition
Frederick should be elected. Then, said he,
“Let the Contents inform you what to do,
“And see my Will in every Point perform'd.”
The Time is now arriv'd which must unravel
The dark Intent of this conceal'd Decree.

Wald.
Heaven grant it be as I could wish, the Means
To ease our Fears, and rid us of this Emperor.

Rid.
If my Guess fail not, somewhat of this kind,
Will soon demand a Head and Heart like yours.
Then must I crave your Aid.

Wald.
All in my Power.
Did Mentz command not, I were most unworthy
To share his Blood or Favour: Do I not owe
More than my Being to his wondrous Goodness?
He gave not Life indeed, but made it blest
With the best Tokens of Paternal Love,
Fortune, and Honours! Under an Uncle's Name,
I find a Father's Tenderness and Care.
And should this Heart retain one erring Thought
Rebellious to his Will, I'd tear it out,
And throw the bleeding Victim at his Feet.

Rid.
'Tis nobly said, nor do I doubt your Zeal,
Brave Waldec, nor your Strength of Resolution.
But my impatient Soul requires I leave you.
Anon you shall know All: Till when, be secret,
And keep your Hopes close-lock'd within your Breast.
[Exit Ridolpho.

Wald.
Now do I feel what Women do, who long
For Pleasures unexperienced, and forbid.
The Want of what we wish to know, begets
Suspence; and that enflames the wild Desire:
It must be gratify'd to be appeas'd.
If any hidden Purport be conceal'd
In this mysterious Scroll; I can depend,
His honest Soul one Moment will not keep
The Secret from me.—But here's my Sister,
Her clouded Brow declares how ill she brooks,
This sudden Ruin of our common Cause.

Enter Adelaid and Sophia.
Adel.
Frederick is then elected.—

Wald.
He is, my Sister.
Now as it in our Power to barr his Claim,
Tho' half the Princes gave their Votes against him.
Like Fate his Presence aw'd their best Endeavours,
And hush'd their vain Objections into Silence.

Adel.
Shame and Confusion on their coward Souls;
Had I been there, not so the Event had prov'd,
Oh! why does Custom, (Tyrant over Reason)
Confine to Man alone all great Decisions?
Woman more resolute, more bold, more daring,
Yields not her Purpose till by Force compell'd.

Wald.
Yes, to be obstinate your Sex well knows,
Tho' to your own Undoing. But Adelaid,
Be you no longer Blind to th'only Means
Is left us to retrieve our sinking Fortune;
The gallant Duke of Wirtemberg still loves,
And comes full fraught with Hopes you will at last
Reward his Services.

Adel.
I think not on him.

Wald.
Not think on him! Yes, you must think on him,
Must marry him, or be content to bear
The low Contempt which fallen Greatness meets
From every vile-mouth'd Peasant. Know you not,
That on our Uncle, his Rev'rence of Mentz
All our Dependance lies; and if he sinks,
As sink he must, if Brunswick hold the Power.
What have we not to dread? Therefore be wise,
And find a Refuge yet in Wirtemberg.
I leave you to reflect on what I've said,
And, when you've done so, doubt not your Compliance.

[Exit.
Adel.
Alass! how mean are all the Ills, his Care
Would have me shun, when put in Competition
With those I already feel, nor can avoid.
My Soul's dear Peace for ever, ever ruin'd,
What have I now to fear? ungrateful Frederick!
Did I e'er think that I should curse the Day
That made thee great? Thee, in whose Happiness
All mine once center'd: Thee! whom I doated on,
With more Excess of Tenderness than e'er
Was known by Mother for her first-born Babe.
Oh cruel Change! Now thy Felicity
Is my extreamest Woe, Of all the Passions
None sure so stormy in a Woman's Breast,
As Hate, arising from ill-treated Love.

Sophia.
Madam, you know not your own Heart: this Rage
Which, like a sudden Earth-quake, shakes your Soul,
Springs not from Hate, but an Excess of Fondness,
Which you would fain o'ercome, but want the Power.
Indifference only can Repose restore,
And fit you for those Joys your noble Brother
Counsels you to take in happy Marriage.

Adel.
I charge thee Peace. Nor join such distant Sounds
As Joy and Wirtemberg. Tho' I must own,
The gallant Prince has all that Woman doats on,
Or that Man can boast; yet if my Soul
E'er entertains a second Thought of Love,
The Interval of Death must come between,
And quite eraze former Impressions thence;
For while this Sense or Thought remains, Frederick,
Unkind, and faithless as he is, will reign
Triumphant o'er each interposing Wish,
And fill Remembrance. Yes my dear Sophia!
With Shame I must avow, those precious Moments,
When at my Feet the dear Protester lay,
Swearing no Charms like Adelaid's could please,
Are ever present to me: Tho' Reason,
Too, too officious, since too weak to ease me,
Cries out, those Vows were but delusive Air,
Form'd only to deceive my easy Nature.

Sophia.
If, as they say, that Passion's Purity
Consists in Constancy, and Perseverance,
He knows not how to love who knows to change.
Nor has the Saxon Princess Cause to boast;
The fickle Conquest she may shortly mourn.

Adel.
Oh could I feast Revenge with such a Hope,
I would absolve my Fate of all Injustice.

Sophia.
'Tis said she comes this Day.

Adel.
E'er she arrives,
Blast, blast her Charms, some bloom-destroying Air!
And turn his Love to loathing; but let her's
Know no decrease, that Disappointment,
Lovers worst Hell, may meet her warmest Wishes,
And make her curse the Hour in which she wedded.

Sophia.
Pardon me, Madam, that I now presume
T'accuse you of Injustice: If you are wrong'd,
Frederick alone's to blame. Your Loves were private,
And Anna ignorant of a Rival's Claim,
Yielded but to her Duty, or her Love.

Adel.
Yes, well I know that Saxony, foreseeing
Th'approaching Greatness of my perjured Brunswick,
Contriv'd this Match through Interest of State.
But Passion's deaf to Reason; and when we feel
Affliction's Hand bear down with Weight upon us,
We look not whence directed; nor examine
If through Design or Change the Blow proceeded.
I have no Sense, but Sense of Pain left in me.

Soph.
'Tis strange, that Time, which all Things else eraces,
Should work no Cure on your distemper'd Mind!
Thrice has the Sun renew'd his annual Round,
Since Frederick wedded with the Saxon Princess;
And Months to Years are added since you saw him:
Yet are your Griefs still fresh.

Adel.
And will be ever.
Neglected Love's a Woe, which few o'ercome,
Yet, not content with that, Fate heaps on more,
And loads me with Variety of Anguish.
To see the Man who has so greatly wrong'd me,
Rais'd to the extremest Height this World can give,
Lifted beyond the Reach of Rage or Pity!
The haughty, happy she, who robs me of him,
With the Imperial Diadem adorn'd!
Myself, an humble gazer on her Splendor;
Or proud to fill the Number of her Train:
Is finish'd Wretchedness! 'Tis Hell, or worse!
A thousand Furies in the curst Idea,
Rise to my warring Thoughts, unhinging Reason,
And hurry my wild Brain to perfect Madness.

Soph.
If it be possible, dear Madam, cease
Reflections so injurious to your Quiet.

Adel.
Oh! 'tis not to be borne what I endure!
My Soul once gentle as pacifick Seas,
Can ill support these starts of raging Passion;
Death, or Distraction shortly must ensue.
The hapless Maid who to Love's Pow'r gives Way,
Becomes to endless Cares a certain Prey:
No more her past Tranquility regains,
In vain she struggles with the galling Chains;
A Slaves she is, and still a Slave remains.