University of Virginia Library

ACT V.

SCENE Continues.
Enter Waldec.
Wald.
How great's the Pain of doubtful Expectation!
I think the Scheme for Frederick's Death so laid,
It cannot fail: Yet shou'd the Stars deceive us,
And Fate, to save her Darling, interpose,
'Tis not our forfeit Lives, Estates, and Titles,
Cou'd compensate for the intended Crime;
In Treasons Book our Names must stand Enrol'd
For late Posterity to Brand our Issue,
With their Forefathers guilt. Oh, shock to Thought!
Wou'd it were over once. Not that I feel
That which fools call Remorse, or Penitence,
But cannot bear even a Possibility
Of being defeated in an Enterprize
Of this high Nature. Ha! my Sister's Woman,
A Letter in her Hand! she seems disordered,
And seeing me, conceals it in her Bosom.
This must be somewhat sure of more Import
Than what is Common; but I'll sift the Truth.
Enter Sophia.
Well my Ambassadress! on what Treaty sent,
Have you assum'd this Air of Policy?
How fares your Mistress?

Soph.
Alass! My noble Lord,
Strange fits of stormy Passions shake her Breast:
By turns she weeps, and rages; Calls to witness
Heav'n and the Saints, if ought by her committed
Deserved such Plagues. Long honour'd with her Trust
I begg'd to know what new alarm had seiz'd her:
But strait she chid me from her sight, and said,
It was a Secret wou'd not suit my wearing.

Wald.
She still conceals it then?

Soph.
With utmost Privacy.
Nor can I guess what sudden Accident
Has stirr'd her thus: Tho' from what source deriv'd,
'Tis easy to perceive.

Wald.
Her Love for Frederick?

Soph.
Much I lament she still retains that flame
To pray upon her with consuming Anguish;
Nor can even his disdain extinguish it.
As I just now by her Command return'd,
I found her Face o'respread with livid Paleness,
Which soon was follow'd by a scarlet Blush
Of deepest Dye; then, with Speech precipitate
And trembling motion, to my Hand she gave
A Letter; bidding me with utmost speed,
And secrecy, carry it to th'Emperor,
And bring his Answer back.

Wald.
Give it me, Sophia!
Who knows to what extremes this madding Passion
May have transported her.

Soph.
'Tis fit indeed
Your Lordship should be Judge, nor can I think
But I best serve, when thus I disobey her.

[Gives the Letter, which he opens.
Wald.
Reads.]
“Tho' small regard is paid to the advice
“Of those we love not, yet let me conjure you,
“If Life, or Fame, or Empire, have ought in 'em
“Worthy your keeping, to afford attention
“To the sad Meaning of my troubled Soul.
“Believe this is the Crisis of your Fate,
“Which, if neglected, brings on certain Ruin.
“In my Apartment I attend your Visit
“And for your own sake hope you will not fail,

Adelaid.

[To her.

Soph.
I shall obey, my Lord, so you think proper.

Wald.
Here take this Signet, the Cypher is the same,
Nor will excite a thought it has been open'd.
Be speedy, Adelaid's no doubt impatient
To know his Answer, which acquaint me with
The moment you return—I hear the Tread
Of some one coming—away!

Soph.
I shall, my Lord.

Exit.
Wald.
This is indeed a Turn by far more lucky
Than I had hop'd from Fortune. Ha, Ridolpho!
Ne'er was your Presence more desir'd or welcome.
Enter Ridolpho.
My labouring Brain is big with vast Events,
And you are come in a most happy Time
To bring the Infant-Embrio's to Perfection.

Rid.
What new occurrence can, since last we parted
Have hapned to demand my ready Aid?
But Night already with her sable Wings
O'ershadows half the Globe, and I but come
To put you in Remembrance of to Morrow;
My Train all wait, I instantly must leave you:
Therefore, be brief in what you've to relate.

Wald.
First then, you must not yet depart the Castle.

Rid.
What means my Friend? You know th'Emperor's Orders.

Wald.
I do. But they must now be disobey'd.
Nor will the danger shall accrue be great,
He'll scarce have Breath to ask the Reason why.

Rid.
You speak in Riddles: Does not our hope depend
On my Departure hence, and Readiness
To attack him on the Road?

Wald.
To ease your Wonder,
Know that a Scheme is laid to bring him here;
And spares his Foes the trouble of pursuing.

Rid.
Here?

Wald.
To this Apartment. 'Tis a favour
My Sister has entreated in such Terms
I think he'll scarce refuse. He is a Prince,
You know, fam'd for his Courtesy. At least,
A small delay, to wait th'Event, not hinders
Our first design, shou'd chance prevent his coming

Rid.
'Tis true.

Wald.
Besides, weigh well the vast advantage.
We here have o'er him. Nothing is more certain
Than that this Visit will be made in private:
How easy is it therefore to dispatch him,
And after quit the Place, e're the least rumour
Of what we've done shall reach th'affrighted Ears
Of those whose wishes wou'd revenge his Fate.

Rid.
The full Idea now my Soul receives
With pleasure which can only be allay'd
By the uncertainty of his Compliance
With your fair Sister's wish.

Wald.
That we shall learn
In a few moments. But we'll to my Closet,
I see her coming, and wou'd avoid her Presence
For Reasons I'll inform you.

Rid.
I attend you.

[Exeunt.
Enter Adelaid.
Adel.
What an Eternal whirl of wild Ideas
Run thro' my giddy Brain! Thoughts after Thoughts
In mad Confusion rise, and drive Reflection
Far, far away! what do the guilty feel
In the suspence of unaccomplish'd Crimes,
When I, for Virtues sake, endure these Pangs!
Oh, Brother! by what impious motive urg'd
Canst thou resolve to bear those racks of Soul,
Which must attend on Treason and on Murder?
The Murd'rer of thy Emperor! and what's more
The perfect pattern of excelling Nature:
A Form, and Mind so awfully divine,
A Blow to him directed, strikes at Heaven,
And calls immediate Thunders to revenge it.
Shock'd, and roll'd back at such a monstrous aim,
The conscious Stars start from their lucid Orbs,
And deep in Æther hide their trembling Fires!
All Nature seems affrighted! Thou alone,
Persists unmov'd and hardned in thy Purpose.
Ha! what now?

[Enter an Attendant.
Attend.
The Duke of Wirtemberg—

Adel.
Be gone!
Did I not Charge that none shou'd be admitted?

Attend.
I did not fail t'inform him of your Orders.
But still he prest for Entrance—He's here.

Exit.
Enter Wirtemberg.
Adel.
In what, presuming Prince, am I debas'd
Beneath my former Rank, that you forget
What's due even to my Sex; and dare t'intrude
Against my strict Command?

Wirtemb.
Oh, Adelaid!
Forgive the boldness, since it is my last.
I come not now t'accuse, or to upbraid:
Too well I know that Love and Fate disdain
To be prescrib'd by Limits not their own,
And was to blame in Censuring what, perhaps,
You, but compell'd by a resistless Impulse
Have yielded to commit. Nay, frown not fair One!
This Posture merits not your indignation.
[Kneels.
And cou'd you look into my secret Soul
You'd find the same Humility reigns there,
Unguilty of Offence; and all devoted
To wishes for your Happiness.

Adel.
Rise, Prince!
In your Behaviour Insults and Submissions
So mingled are, I know not which to think
Claims my attention most. Nor have I leisure
Now to examine: But shall hereafter take
The Explanation well.

Wirtemb.
Ah! I perceive
How irksome is my Presence; and will soon
Remove it from your Sight. I but presum'd
To take a last farewel, then quit for ever,
Both Adelaid and Frederick.

Adel.
Ha! Frederick?
Somewhat I heard of this, but all confus'd
My Hurried Soul not listned to the Talk.
Go you not with the Emperor then, my Lord?

Wirtemb.
Go with him, Madam! meanly wou'd it prove
The force of that Affection I have Vow'd
And shall to Death maintain for Adelaid,
To endure the sight of him who robs me of her.
He is, indeed, my Emperor, that sacred Name
Binds down my struggling Rage, and quells Revenge,
Else shou'd this Arm e're now have eas'd my Soul
Of half its load of Anguish, tame Forbearance.

Adel.
There's somewhat more in this than yet I fathom.
[Aside.
Much do I fear, rash Prince! the force of Passion
Has render'd you the Tool of others Malice:
Once, all resentful for the Affront you offer'd,
I ask'd the Vile Asperser's Name, and now
In cooler terms re-iterate the Demand.

Wirtemb.
With Pleasure, equal to my present Pains,
Shou'd I obey, had I but room to doubt
A Brother wou'd traduce a Sister's Fame.

Adel.
'Tis as I thought. To what a monstrous height
Must the desire of Vengeance rise in him,
Who scruples not for the attainment of it
To blast his House's Honour. Oh, Wirtemberg!
My Innocence too soon will be reveal'd,
Unless by other Means than those which Fate
Permits my bounded Will.

Wirtemb.
What mean you, Madam?

Adel.
The Tale is dreadful, and must shock the Ears
Of those accustom'd most to Blood and Murder.
How then, just Heaven! shall my Tongue relate it!
Oh all ye Spirits, which from Times beginning
Down to the present now, vouchsaf'd to inspire
Some of my Sex with more than manly Courage,
Collect your Force, and in this dire Necessity
Grant your Assistance, or my Soul must sink
Beneath the oe'r-pressing Horror.

Wirtemb.
Then on me,
Discharge the weight; our Sex, robust by Nature,
And from our Infancy inur'd to Deeds
Your softness cou'd not brook, we'll best become
A story of such dreadful Consequence

Adel.
Ah, Prince!—but stay—what News my best Sophia?
Quick let me know what answer bring you back?
Say, will the Emperor come?

[Runs to meet Sophia as she Enters.
Soph.
Madam, He now
Attends your Pleasure in the Anti-chamber.

Adel.
Say, I'm alone, and strait Conduct him hither.
Saw you of late my Brother?

Soph.
Yes, Madam.
He but now with Lord Ridolpho past, I think
To his Closet.

Adel.
'Tis well. Do as I order'd.
[Exit Sophia
Now, now my Task comes on, Mistaken Prince!
Now you shall own my Wrongs: The Emperor comes,
Please to retire where you unseen, may hear
All that shall pass betwixt us: That Closet
Gives you Liberty.

Wirtemb.
Ne're, till this Moment,
Did Curiosity so agitate
My wondring Soul. I willingly Comply
And wish th'Event may prove 'tis I have Err'd.

[Goes in.
Enter Frederick.
Fred.
We obey your Summons, beauteous Adelaid.
Less to avoid the Danger warn'd us of,
Than in Respect to you, the kind Adviser.

Adel.
'Tis not a season now for such Reply
As at another, I perhaps, shou'd make.
But know, no Interest of my own or Family
Can tempt me to be guilty of a deed
Which shuns the face of Heaven, and has recourse
To vile Deceit for the Accomplishment;
And as Concealing is to share the Guilt,
Am ready to unravel the whole Scheme
Mysterious Treason has Contriv'd: But first,
Must have your sacred Promise, you'll afford
Pardon and Grace to one too deeply link'd
I'th black Conspiracy.

Fred.
Whoe'er he is,
To Adelaid his Life is given.

Adel.
I thank your gracious Bounty.
Tho' 'tis to fill the measure of my Woes
That I have been Constrain'd to ask it of you.
But take the recompence. He for whose sake
I'm thus oblig'd; He, who from noblest Race
Has thus degenerated, and become
The vile Associate of pernicious Traitors,
Is my Brother.

Fred.
Count Waldec!

Adel.
'Tis a sad Truth.
In horrid League with Lord Ridolpho join'd,
To Morrow's Sun shou'd have beheld you slain
By Vile Assassination on the Road.
The Gallant Wirtemberg, whose Arm they dreaded,
By Arts too base, too tedious to relate
Stolen from your side, and made to swerve from Duty
Your Guards but few, you seem'd an easy Prey
To the sharp Phangs of wolf-jaw'd Cruelty.

Wirtemb.
From the Closet.]
Infernal Villains!

Fred.
Strange that Men bred to know
The Charms of Virtue ever can forsake her
For the deformity of Vice.

[Ridolpho, Waldec, and others rush in with Drawn Swords, and fall upon the Emperor.
Wald.
A Man
In private Conference with my Sister! Die.

Fred.
Traytor, Die thou, and boast an End more noble
Than this Attempt deserves.

Adel.
Ah, Murder! Treason! Help!

[Shrieks.
Wir.
Monsters! my Sword may do an Act of Justice
On some of your perfidious Lives.

[All fight.
Adel.
Ah, Help!
A Guard here, Quick, or the Emperor's murder'd.
Are ye all deaf as the Relentless Heavens?

Wirtemb.
I think thou hast it. Villain, doubly damn'd!

[Wounds Ridolpho.
Ridol.
Curse on that never failing Arm. 'Tis done.

[Dies.
Enter Anspach, Anhalt, Baden, with Guards.
Ansp.
What Scene of Horror!

[All attack Waldec and his Followers.
Anh.
Most accursed Traytors.

Bad.
Shew them no mercy—Hack the perjur'd Slaves.

Adel.
Oh, spare my Brother that he may Repent.

Fred.
Touch not his Life; but for the rest, let Justice
Make them Examples.

Wald.
I scorn the Mercy;
And did not Death already play his Part,
And with cold Gripe seize every throbbing Fibre,
I've yet a Dagger shou'd perform the office,
And rid me of the Load of useless Life.

Adel.
Oh Waldec! Waldec! think there is a Heaven,
And implore Forgiveness.

Wald.
That Work be thine:
And to inspire thy pious Zeal, I'll tell thee,
Thy Letter, by me intercepted, lur'd
Frederick to the fate I hope has reach'd him.

Wirtemb.
Detestable and Horrid:

Fred.
Bear him from our sight:
His Presence pains me more than does my Wounds.

Adel.
Fate, if thou'st yet another Curse in store.
Send, send it down, and strike me dead at once.

[Guards carry off Waldec, Adelaid follows.
Ansp.
How fare you, sacred Sir? O Heav'n, you bleed,
Stop Baden, stop the precious drops from falling,
While I seek Help, a Moment's time may lose
The World its greatest Blessing.

Fred.
Hold, Anspach!
I'm past the Aid of Art: The Traitor's Sword
Has made its way quite to the Seat of Life
And the last Vital drop is almost Ebb'd.
Soon, very soon, shall I be rank'd with those,
Who were, but are no more.

Ansp.
Heart-breaking Sound!

Wirtemb.
Oh! sacred Sir! by what Submissions humbled
Can my late rashness be atton'd? My Soul,
Too prone to Passion, readily receiv'd
Th'insinuation of a Traytor's Words,
And turn'd almost a Rebel too.

Fred.
No more,
Brave Prince! 'tis a sufficient Recompence
That you have seen your Error. Nothing proves
A truly noble Mind like free Confession
Of Faults the Base conceals: May you be happy,
As your great worth deserves: I die well pleas'd
In your recover'd Friendship.

Wirtemb.
God-like goodness!

Enter Anna.
Anna.
What dire Alarm of Treason, and of Murder,
Forces me hither? My Lord! my Frederick!
Is't thus I see you? Oh, what Hand accurst
Has done this Deed?—Are these, alass, the Effects
Of guilty Love! Cou'd Heaven not yield to Pardon
One fault where Virtues so unnumber'd shine?

Wir.
Oh, Madam! Pity and forgive my Error:
Deceiv'd myself by the perfidious Waldec,
I fill'd your gentle Soul with false Suggestions;
Prophan'd the Heaven of your Lov'd Frederick's Truth;
And made you think 'twas possible he cou'd
Have Heart or Eyes for other Charms than yours.

Fred.
Who wou'd desire to Live, when Life affords
Such weak defence from Slander?

Anna.
Oh, do not think
My meditating Soul e'er set you down
For false: 'Twas but for a moment I believ'd
The cruel Tale; yet did that moment give
Me Horrors, which by this dreadful one alone
Cou'd be surpass'd.

Fred.
Excellent Woman!
While thou art present, Death, indeed, has terror!
For while 'tis given me to behold thy Eyes,
And hear the sound of that inchanting Voice,
I find, methinks, all we conceive of Heaven.
But Oh! to other Views I now must bend my Aim:
We shall hereafter meet—Till then my Anna!
Be careful of our Children: Let them know
That to be truly Great they must be good;
Let Glory, like a Seamark, guide their Course
In the rough Voyages of tempestuous Life,
Season their early Youth with wholesome Precepts;
Teach them to merit, not desire Dominion:
But, above all, let Fortitude and Courage,
Prepare their Minds for Fortune's fickle Turns,
That they in all Events may be the same.
Oh, I have much to say, but want the Power—
My Friends too claim me—Draw nearer, Princes!
I wou'd Embrace you, but my strength permits not:
Give me your Arms.—A long Farewel to all.
May Heaven, in Pity to this injur'd Land,
Send you an Emperor who may accomplish
All you once hop'd from me—Nay, this is wrong
Let me not see you weep.

Wir.
My Eyes unus'd to Tears
Smart with the briny Flood which yet will have its way.

Anh.
Who can restrain so just a mark of Grief?

Anna.
What then is mine! Oh torment in Extreme!
Burst, burst my Heart!

Fred.
Here rather bend your Cares
To heal the Anguish of this lovely Mourner.
Oh my Soul's Treasure! yield not to despair
But live to bless your Frederick in his Race.
I can no more—The leaden Hand of Death
Presses me down—Yet hope I soon shall rise
To never-ending Joys.

[Dies.
Anna.
Ah!

[Faints.
Ansp.
There fled the greatest Soul
That ever lodg'd itself in human Form.
Look up, bright Princess! Nor give Sorrow way:
Your Frederick is not dead: There still survives
A blooming Off-spring, which, to th'End of Time,
His Mem'ry will perpetuate: And, methinks,
A glorious Scene now opens to my View
Of future Hero's springing from this Race.
Above the rest, One shines with double splendor,
With Grandsire's Virtues, but with better Fate
Blest by Indulgent Heaven. Supreamly Great!
Far distant Realms shall tremble at his Frowns,
And neighbouring Kings submissive court his Smiles,
On him alone shall Peace and War depend;
His Voice contending Monarchs shall obey
And the glad World confess a Brunswick's Sway.