 | Rinaldo |  |
SCENE I.
The City of Jerusalem besieg'd, A Prospect of the Walls, and a Gate on the plainest side of the Town. Part of the Christian Camp on the right side of the Stage; Enter Godfrey, attended by Almirena, Rinaldo, and Eustatio, and surrounded by his Guards.Godfrey, Almirena, Rinaldo, Eustatio.
Godfrey.
Now great Rinaldo, have our Warlike Toils
Nigh reach'd their wish'd Reward.
Yon Tow'ring Walls
Shall shortly feel the shock of Christian Pow'r!
Their Eastern Sun shines with redoubled Rays,
To light our righteous Arms the Way to Sion!
5
O'er craggy Rocks of steep Ascent,
The Road to Glory lies,
And empty Joys, or dull Content
The Brave with Ease despise.
The Road to Glory lies,
And empty Joys, or dull Content
The Brave with Ease despise.
O'er craggy, &c.
Rin.
Asia, great Sir, pierc'd by your wise Commands,
Beneath the Thund'ring of this warlike Arm,
Groans, at the near Approach of Ruin's Tread.
Those impious Tow'rs, their Masters last vain Hope,
Shall at the mention of thy glorious Name,
Tumble, unbatter'd, down, and crush the Slaves,
Unworthy of a Sword, so fam'd as thine,
Remember then, victorious Prince, my Claim
To Almirena's Charms;—
Let Marriage smile,
And bless my Heart and Hand with equal Joy.
All Virtues join'd grow stronger.
Godf.
Undaunted Hero, tho' no hostile Force,
Can shake thy mighty Mind;
Yet in the Road to Glory fall not back,
But pass by Love when thy fair Fame invites Thee.
When Sion, falling, shall more glorious rise,
Be Almirena's Love Rinaldo's Prize.
Alm.
Consider lov'd Rinaldo, each Delay.
Stamps a grim Spot on the bright Face of War;
Go fight, successful 'gainst our Faith's proud Foe,
Till Sion's freed from her inglorious Yoke.
Then gay with Conquest, come triumphant back,
And boast how bravely Mars has won his Venus.
The Force of Love has Valour oft suppress'd,
And Glory freezes in an amorous Breast.
Go Fight and succeed,
For each Drop you shall bleed,
Will encrease the dear Flame in my Breast;
'Tis Glory and Fame,
Win the generous Dame,
And the Conqueror's Courtship is best.
For each Drop you shall bleed,
Will encrease the dear Flame in my Breast;
'Tis Glory and Fame,
Win the generous Dame,
And the Conqueror's Courtship is best.
Go Fight, &c.
7
Illustrious Warrior, mark these Counsels well,
Ungovern'd Passions easily Rebel.
Rin.
How mighty is thy Pow'r blind God of Love!
Love delay'd is bitter Anguish,
Fear and Torments still succeed,
Hope decays and Pleasures languish,
Now my Heart has learnt to bleed.
Love delay'd is bitter Anguish,
Fear and Torments still succeed,
Hope decays and Pleasures languish,
Now my Heart has learnt to bleed.
Love delay'd, &c.
| Rinaldo | |