University of Virginia Library

SCENE V.

Godrick, Ariana, and Castor apart.
Castor.
I cannot rest: I must be satisfy'd
From whence these foul Reports;—Oh, conscious Guilt—
Hah! Godrick here! Let me observe awhile.

[Aside.
Aria.
Thy Worth and valu'd Friendship long I've known.

Godr.
Friendship, I fear, will fail to represent
The sad Effects of yet unhappy Love:
O, Ariana, Albert pines to Death,
The blooming Victim of your potent Charms:
Involv'd in sad Despair, he languish'd long,
Intent on nothing but the Grave and you:
The Grave, his hop'd Retreat from quenchless Flames;
And you the Object of his fruitless Wish.
Now thro' the dreary Gloom Hope darts a Ray,
Ah, bless him with a stronger Beam of Grace;
Let Edmund's evil Stars (whose Fate he weeps)
Propitious shine to him. You listen'd once
To all the tender Pleadings of his Passion;
No longer then with-hold the Debt that's due
To so much suff'ring Truth, so fixt a Love.

Castor.
Ah, curse your Eloquence!—yet let me hear.

[Aside.
Aria.
O, Godrick, long my conscious Heart has own'd
The Worth of Albert: long approv'd the Flame
I dar'd not to repay in gentle kind:
And let these Tears, these speaking Tears display
My secret Wish and sad Distress of Soul.
But what can Love effect? To give my Hand,
Would send my Father sighing to the Grave
With Curses on my Head: Lewd Castor now,
Audacious, dares to importune my Heart:
My Father favours his abhorr'd Request,
And wou'd persuade me to receive his Vows:
But were the sad Alternative a Rack,
To his detested Bed; I'd joyful hail
An ignominious Death to shun his Arms.

Godr.
O gen'rous Maid! and worthy well the Love,
The faithful Love that flames in Albert's Heart;
Whatever Dangers threaten, still proceed
In that bright Course which Virtue marks you out:
Applauding Heav'n shall interpose to guard,
And hov'ring Angels make your Conquest sure.
In future Days, when love-sick Maids shall hear
The Story of your hard Mishap; Your Truth,
And constant Ardour thro' opposing Ills;
How will they praise; how wonder at the Flame!
As Love's blest guardian Saints, to you they'll pray,
And court your Influence, while they own your Passion.
Your shining Tale shall be their bright Example!
Your just Applause the Theme of all their Songs!
Your Graves fresh Garlands shall for ever deck!
Tour Tombs be call'd the sacred Shrines of Love!
O, worthy Honours to such noble Minds!
O, fair Pursuits of Virtue and of Fame!

Aria.
Yes, Godrick, yes, thou Friend to Truth and me,
I will be this Enthusiast in Love:
But teach me thou, whose Mind is unperplex'd
With this so softning Fever of the Soul,
What Arts, what Methods must I use to foil
The fond presumptuous Hopes that Castor holds:
And oh, (what is a harder Task by far)
To turn the Current of my Father's Hate,
And stream soft Love for Albert on his Soul.

Godr.
This will exact some deeper Delves of Thought;
But Time and Care shall work these wish'd Effects.
Mean while, to Castor wear a clouded Brow;
Severe in Manners, treat him with Contempt:
And to your Father still declare Dislike
From inward Goads to fell Antipathy,
Improv'd by Fame in many foul Reports.

Castor.
Cankers consume your Tongue: keep down my Rage.

[Aside.
Aria.
Henceforth, thy friendly Counsel be my Guide:
I'll act in every thing as you direct,
And Heav'n succeed the Toil.

Godr.
O doubt it not:
You shall partake in many Years of Bliss,
The just Reward of virtuous, suff'ring Love:
Now, gentle Maid, farewel: I'll seek my Friend,
And with these Tidings raise his sinking Soul.

Aria.
Yes, Godrick, tell him that my Heart is his;
Reserv'd no more; resign'd to Love and Albert.