University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

Eleonora, Theald, Daraxa.
Daraxa.
Princess of England, let me share thy Grief.
Whence flow these Tears? and what this wild Alarm,
This Noise of Murder and Assassination?

Eleonora.
Alas! the Prince is wounded by a Ruffian;
And with a poison'd Dagger, as I fear.
Yet none will ease me of this racking Thought—
Nay, tell me, Theald, since to know the worst
Is oft a kind of miserable Comfort;
What has befal'n the Prince? For this slight Wound
Could never thus o'ercast the Brave with Terror.

Theald.
I dare not, Princess, dally with your Fate.
An impious Villain, from the Sultan Selim,
Pretended to the Prince a secret Message,
About the Peace in Treaty. Dreading nought,
He left us here, and to his Tent retir'd,
There to receive this execrable Envoy.
Strait with the Prince alone, the fierce Assassin
Attempted on his Life; but, in his Arm,
He took, it seems, the Blow, and from the Villain
Wresting the Dagger, plung'd it to his Heart.
This last we saw, and heard th'inhuman Bigot,
Who deem'd himself a Martyr in their Cause,
Boast, as he dy'd, the Prince's Wound was poison'd—

Eleonora.
Then all I fear'd is true! then am I wretched,
Beyond even Hope!

Daraxa.
A Villain from the Sultan!—

Eleonora.
Ah the distracting Thought! And is my Life!
My Love! my Edward! on the brink of Fate!
Of Fate that may this moment snatch him from me!

Daraxa.
What! Selim send Assassins? and beneath
A Name so sacred? Selim, whose Renown
Is Incense breathing o'er the sweeten'd East;
For each humane each generous Virtue fam'd;
Selim! the Rock of Faith! and Sun of Honour!

Eleonora.
O complicated Woe! The Christian Cause
Has now no more a Patron, and Restorer;
England no more a Prince, in whom she plac'd
Her Glory, her Delight, her only Hope;
These desolated Troops no more a Chief;
No more a Husband, a Protector, I,
A Friend, a Lover! and my helpless Children
No more a Father!

Daraxa.
Pardon, gentle Princess,
If in this Whirlwind of revolving Passions,
That snatch my Soul by turns, I have forgot
To pay the Tribute which I owe thy Sorrows—
But I my self, alas! am more unhappy!

Eleonora.
What Woes can equal mine? who lose, thus vilely,
The Best! the Bravest! Loveliest of Mankind!—

Daraxa.
You lose the Lover, I must learn to hate him,
To scorn what once was all my Pride and Transport!
Should Edward die by this accursed Crime,
(Which Heaven forbid) he dies admir'd, belov'd,
In the full Bloom of Fame and spotless Honour.
To you, the Daughter of illustrious Grief,
Your Tears remain, and sadly-sweet Reflection;
You with his Image, with his Virtues, still,
Amidst the pensive Gloom, may Converse hold:
While I—Ah! nothing meets my blasted Sight
But a black View of Infamy and Horror!
What is the Loss of Life to Loss of Virtue!—
And yet how can this heavenly Spark be lost?
No! Virtue burns with an immortal Flame.
He is bely'd—some Villain has abus'd him.

Theald.
I honour, Madam, this your virtuous Grief:
But that the Sultan did employ th'Assassin
Is past all doubt—Behold the false Instructions,
By which he gain'd Admittance.

[Giving her the Letter the Prince had dropt.
Daraxa.
Ha!—'Tis so!
His Hand! his Seal!—From my detesting Heart,
I tear him thus for ever!—Perish, Selim!
Perish the feeble Wretch, who more bewails him!
That were to share his Guilt!—Unhappy Princess!
Now let me turn my Soul to thy Assistance—
There is a Cure, 'tis true—

Eleonora.
A Cure, Daraxa!
O say, what Cure?

Daraxa.
No; it avails not, Madam;
None can be found to risque it.

Eleonora.
None to risque it?
Quick tell me what it is, my dear Daraxa!

Daraxa.
To find some Person, that, with friendly Lip,
May draw the Poison forth; at least, its Rage
And mortal Spirit. This will bring the Wound
Within the Power of Art: but certain Death
Attends the generous Deed.

Eleonora,
kneeling.
Then hear me, Heaven!
Prime Source of Love! Ye Saints and Angels, hear me!
I here devote me for the best of Men,
Of Princes and of Husbands. On this Cross
I seal the cordial Vow: confirm it Heaven!
And grant me Courage in the Hour of Trial!

Theald.
O Tenderness unequal'd!

Daraxa.
Glorious Princess!

Eleonora.
Go, Theald, quickly find the Earl of Gloster,
And with him break this matter to the Prince.
As for the Person, leave that Task to me.
I with Daraxa will your Call attend;
O all ye Powers of Love, your Influence lend.