 | The Parricide : Or, Innocence in Distress |  |
SCENE the Last.
Godrick, Albert, Eliza, Ariana and Felix.Felix.
Heav'n shield us from the Arts of wicked Men,
And guard all Consciences from gauling Guilt:
Expiring yonder, has that Parricide
Discover'd Crimes would ev'n startle Fiends!
And show'd such dreadful, agonizing Pangs,
As sure would fright the hardest Soul from Sin.
Dying, he bellow'd out his dread Remorse,
And wreath'd with seeming Anguish of the Soul
'Till Breath had quite forsook him.
Eliza.
Then he's gone!
Poor, guilty Wretch, he's gone to his Account;
And I am warn'd to mine.
Godr.
Oh, let me print this kiss upon thy Lips,
And send my Soul associate hence with yours.
Eliza.
Forbear this Tenderness my better self,
And let me hope Forgiveness of my Wrongs
To you, to Ariana, and to all.—
Aria.
Thus fondly folded in my eager Arms,
Receive a thousand Blessings to thy Soul,
My dearest, dying Friend.
[Weeps.
Eliza.
A long adieu!
[Kisses her.
Now Godrick, now for thee! I'm going now.
Godr.
Eternal Blessings wait thee!—Oh, my Love.
[Falls in her Arms.
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Now I am blest indeed! to hold thee thus!
I hope no greater Joy.
[Dies.
Godr.
Dead! breathless! dead!
But here, thus bending o'er thy lifeless Clay,
I'll mourn away my miserable Being.
Albert.
And wilt thou go, devoted to the Grave?
Has gentle Friendship no inviting Joys?
Yes, thou shalt live to share in many Days
Of social Comforts, and of pleasing Cares.
Godr.
Forbear, my Friend, do thou remain at rest,
And crown'd with lovely Ariana live.
Oh, venerable Felix, hear me plead
This fond, this last Request I e'er shall urge:
Make Albert happy in your Daughter's love.
An honest, equal Friend to both asserts,
No Virtues ever made a fairer Claim
To Greatness, Honour and the World's Esteem,
Than those that have engag'd this Virgins Heart:
No longer then delay their Bliss and thine,
But all be happy as a Friend can hope.
While, near this Place, upon the Sea-beat Shore,
Within a solemn Mansion, sacred made
To holy Raptures, and to Rules austere,
I'll spend my Days among religious Men,
And think no more of Pleasure and the World.
Felix.
I will forbear to struggle on with Fate,
Heav'n has decreed their Loves, and I submit:
With this Embrace then, Albert, take thy Wish,
No longer now my Enemy but Son:
Oh, be you blest in one anothers Arms,
Reflecting Peace and Comfort to my Age.
And thou, sad Exile from the World and Sin,
Enjoy in Bliss thy Days of Life to come.
Oh, when my hoary Head is laid in Earth,
And sunk again to its Primæval State,
As very shortly now, I trust 'twill be;
Preserve, my Children, ever in your Minds,
This sad Example of our frail Dependence!
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No Godrick challenge here a lasting Joy.
Then point your Views beyond, to Realms of Light,
Where Love's eternal Spring can feel no Blight:
Where no base Castor can his Arts employ:
Where round in Circles runs immortal Joy!
There fix your Eyes, make there Possession sure;
Whence Hope alone all mortal Griefs can cure.
| The Parricide : Or, Innocence in Distress | |