 | Rinaldo |  |
SCENE III.
Argantes from the City, drawn through the Gate in a Triumphal Charriot, the Horses white and led in by arm'd Blackamoors. He comes forward attended by a great Number of Horse and Foot Guards, and descending from his Chariot addresses himself to Godfrey, who advances to meet him.9
The hissing Snakes of Envies Locks
And Scylla barking from her Rocks,
Cou'd I around me hear,
Shou'd stabbing Pain invade my Breast,
And racking Poyson break my Rest,
This Heart wou'd scorn to fear.
And Scylla barking from her Rocks,
Cou'd I around me hear,
Shou'd stabbing Pain invade my Breast,
And racking Poyson break my Rest,
This Heart wou'd scorn to fear.
The hissing, &c.
Christian, That Strumpet Fortune,
That hitherto has on thy Rapines smil'd,
Is still inconstant and can change her Mind.
If then thou art but Wise, as thou art Brave,
To recompense the mighty Ills thou'st done,
Be once by Reason led; For three short Days
Suspend the Rage of War. Nay wait not Thought
A three Days Truce will three Days Safety give.
Godf.
He that on Virtue builds the Aim of War,
Needs never fear the blackest Turn of Fate,
Thou with disdainful Accents seek'st to cloath
A poor Petition; and I grant thy Pray'r;
For generous Souls are far more flow to ask,
Than to bestow, like me.
No, let it ne'r be said,
That I gave Cause of Woe,
My Soul, by Honour led,
Wou'd only Peace bestow,
Sublime beyond Measure,
Most sweet is the Pleasure,
Which the Generous know.
That I gave Cause of Woe,
My Soul, by Honour led,
Wou'd only Peace bestow,
Sublime beyond Measure,
Most sweet is the Pleasure,
Which the Generous know.
No let, &c.
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