University of Virginia Library

SCENE V.

Armida in the Air, in a Chariot drawn by two huge Dragons, out of whose Mouths issue Fire and Smoke.
Armida
Descending.

The Chariot being descended, The Dragons rush forward, and draw her towards Argantes, who advances to meet her.
Arg.
How timely, Charmer, art thou thus arriv'd,
To heal the Wounds of my disorder'd Soul!
I, who, at thy Departure, felt such Grief,
Was all Impatience for thy wish'd Return;
The Christian Tyrant grants the Truce propos'd,
Say, may our Asia thence resume lost Hope?

Arm.
As much perplex'd as all Fates Riddles are,
I, with tremendous Charms, have plung'd my search
Down to the deepest Chanels of her Will!
My Pow'r has forc'd from her obscure Abyss,
This clear Prediction of thy Country's Hepe,
If, from the hostile Europæan Camp,
The great Rinaldo's Aid can be withdrawn,
Asia, now desolate, may smile again.

Arg.
I fly to stab the Slave—

Arm.
Argantes hold!
'Tis not the force of Arms, but Art like mine,
Must draw that fated Hero from their Camp,
I'll find a safer Way—

Arg.
Why then—Farewel—
In Thee, and Thee alone, my Soul confides.

Armida
alone.