University of Virginia Library

SCENE VII.

Armida changes her self into the Likeness of Almirena, and follows Rinaldo, weeping.
Arm.
Ungrateful, cruel Man! whom I have lov'd,
'Till not a Corner of my Heart is mine!
Yet now, regardless of my Tears or Pains,
You will not grant one Look to guild my Sorrow!

Rin.
Ha! are my Eyes deceiv'd? what do I see?
My Heav'n! My Soul's best half! Let me embrace thee!

Arm.
While I, unhappy, mourn thy cruel Absence,
Thou of a Nature changing, and unkind,
With some new Mistress laugh'st away the Hours,
Forgetful of a gentle Maid, that loves thee;

Rin.
Alas! My Heart is bound so firmly to thee,
That ev'n Inconstancy wants Strength to loose it;
But I, by strange delusive Magick, led,
Mistook thee, lovely Creature, for Armida;

Arm.
Thus let my Arms enfold my Soul's Desire!

Rin.
What Lover wou'd be happier than Rinaldo?

While they Embrace, Armida reassumes her proper Shape, and Rinaldo amaz'd, starts back in a sudden Confusion.
Rin.
Gigantick Horrours wrap'd in Hells dark Mists
Shadow my frighted Soul! Oh! Tricks of Fate!
Why sleeps the Thunder in an idle Sky?
When Heav'n can never hurl his hottest Bolts
At Guilt more black than this!

Armida again takes the Shape of Almirena.
Arm.
Why start you thus?
And wherefore roll those Eyes in Clouds of Terrour?

Rin.
And is it really Thee?
[Is running to her Arms but stops suddenly.
But hold fond Heart!
What wou'd my Madness do? Beneath those Charms
There lies a Magick Hell, shaded from sight,
By the most tempting Front of Paradise;