University of Virginia Library

SCENE a Prison.

Cothurnus and Regan in Chains.
Cothur.
I grant you, our Religion teaches us
To bear the Ills of Life, without repining.

Regan.
To part with Ills we have, we hurry on
Perhaps to worse; Cowards may wish to die,
Because they fear to live, but noble Souls
Can with undaunted Courage, meet the Shocks
Of Life, and still appear Philosophers.

Cothur.
There is in Life, no Blessing worth our Care.
But to be free from Slavery and Chains.
But see the vile Catholicus appears:
Enter Catholicus.
That ominous, Ill croaking Raven, bodes no Good
To you nor me, except he brings us Death.

Reg.
Bring what he will, let us resolve to show
That we can meet it, tho' we do not seek it.

Catho.
Cothurnus, did you know what Pains I took.
To bring the News, the happy joyful News,
You'd say I was indeed your best of Friends;
The King my royal Master, sent me here,
To free you from these horrid dismal Chains.
And fly with Speed to bring you to his Presence,
And by his cheerful Look I do foresee,
With Life and Happiness, he'll crown your Days;
Away with Speed,

Cothur.
Not till you've released my Friend.

Catho.
My Orders reach not him, I'm sorry for't.

Cothur.
Put on my Chains again, I will not leave him.

Reg.
Forbear my Prince, to use Expostulations;
Comply with the Commands from Rotherick sent;
The Powers above have work'd a Miracle,
And soften'd so his flinty harden'd Heart,
That he may have repented of his Crimes;
Your Father, should he hear you were destroy'd
Disconsolate, 'twould sink him down to Death;
Your Kingdom and your Name, would then be lost
And all your Subjects ruin'd and destroy'd,
For one weak and generous Act, to serve your Friend,
You would bring all this Misery upon you.
Therefore with Speed be gone, ne're think of me.

Cotur.
Regan I will go, but with a heavy Heart:
My Fathers faithful Friend and mine farewell.

Reg.
Farewell, my Royal Prince, farewell for ever;
Should the Gods so pour a Blessing on you,
As to bring you to your Father once again,
Tell him Regan liv'd and dy'd his faithful Slave.

(As they are going out) Enter Avelina.
Ave.
Oh my Cothurnus, do I hold thee fast?
And once again Embrace thee in these Arms:
Catholicus, it is my Fathers Will:
That with Cothurnus, Regan be released.
With floods of Joy, your Sister and my self
Have felt his mild, his kind, his tender Usage;
Lead Catholicus, lead us to my Father,
Where we shall meet the solid Joy we wish,
And neither fear, nor hope to change our Fate.

Cothur.
Oh! let Rotherick give you to my Arms;
And sign a Solemn everlasting Peace,
Then prostrate at his Feet I'll throw me down,
And think him worthy of a Sovereign Crown:
Forget he was a Tyrant, I his Slave;
Will call him Father, and his blessing Crave.

(Exeunt.